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No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Toronto
New York wins series, 3-0
| REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS (Toronto won series 3-1) |
| Date |
Final Score |
| 12/22 at NY |
New York 91, Toronto 90 |
| 2/15 at TOR |
Toronto 91, New York 70 |
| 2/23 at NY |
Toronto 99, New York 88 |
| 4/14 at TOR |
Toronto 86, New York 71 |
| HEAD COACHES |
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Jeff Van Gundy, New York
Fifth year with Knicks, fifth year overall
Playoff record: 26-22
Best finish: Took Knicks to NBA Finals last year, losing in five games to the Spurs
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Butch Carter, Toronto
Third year with Raptors, third year overall
Playoff record: 0-0
First time: Carter gets the distinction of being the first coach to take Toronto to playoffs
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| STARTING FIVE |
| New York Knicks |
| Charlie Ward, G |
Having a career year in 3-point shooting |
| Allan Houston, G |
Might be best-shooting 2-guard in league |
| Latrell Sprewell, F |
Undying energy big reason for Knicks' Finals run last year |
| Larry Johnson, F |
Lost some on offense, but still good defender |
| Patrick Ewing, C |
At 37, still better than every center in East, except Zo |
| Toronto Raptors |
| Doug Christie, G |
When he's on 3-point tear, watch out |
| Tracy McGrady, G |
Good as Carter is, T-Mac might be better in a couple years |
| Vince Carter, F |
Added jump shot this season, and that further opened up high-wire act inside |
| Charles Oakley, F |
Knows what it all about with 129 playoff games under his belt |
| Antonio Davis, C |
Big key to Raptors' first trip to playoffs |
| THE BENCH |
| New York Knicks |
| Marcus Camby, F/C |
Knicks best rebounder, shot-blocker |
| Chris Childs, G |
Splits point guard duties with Ward |
| Kurt Thomas, F |
Valuable reserve, especially if he sticks mid-range jumper |
| John Wallace, F |
Gives Knicks some depth inside |
| Toronto Raptors |
| Muggsy Bogues, G |
A more traditional point than Christie |
| Kevin Willis, C |
Getting gray, but still a threat inside
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| Dell Curry, G |
One of the best 3-point shooters in game |
| Dee Brown, G |
Starting to emerge from Carter's doghouse |
| HOW THEY GOT THERE |
| New York Knicks |
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It's a different story this time around than the
Cinderella chorus of last year, when the Knicks entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and thundered all the way to the Finals. The excellence displayed in the playoff run hasn't shown up consistently in the regular season this year, though the Knicks did have to overcome the injury to sixth man Marcus Camby, who is back after missing a large chunk of the season with a knee injury. As always, the Knicks are a tough defensive team (second in the league in points allowed, 90.3), but at times have struggled to find offense, particularly when the game is on the line. Center Patrick Ewing, 37, still wants the ball at crunch time, but the Knicks might be better served to develop Houston or Sprewell as the go-to guys. After all,
that's the duo that carried the Knicks to the Finals last season
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| Toronto Raptors |
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In their fifth season, the Raptors struck postseason
gold. Carter's explosive second year in the league was the most glaring reason for the team's first venture into the playoffs. But behind the scene, veteran Antonio Davis gets a lot of credit. The former Pacer, acquired in a draft-day deal for the rights to high schooler Jonathan Bender, has given the team stability inside. He leads the team in rebounding and is the fourth-leading scorer. Another reason for the Raptor rise is the emergence of Tracy McGrady, who was inserted into the starting lineup midseason. The swingman, playing for a huge free agent contract, has blossomed into the athletic force many thought he would.
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| SERIES OUTLOOK |
| The Knicks are scared of the Raptors, with good reason. Toronto beat New York three of four times during the regular season and was storming back in the only loss when time ran out. Beside New York having a tough time stopping Carter and McGrady during the regular season -- Carter went for an average of 33.2 points and 6.5 rebounds, McGrady, 13.8 and 6.8 -- the Knicks have been stonewalled by the Toronto defense, averaging a horrific 80 points a game. Still, the Knicks have the experience and somehow they'll find a way to end the Raptors' first ascent into the playoffs.
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| PREDICTION |
Sprewell and Houston a hair better than Carter and McGrady. Knicks in 5.
Prediction by Simon Fishler, Sportsline.com NBA Editor
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