Douglas Leads Rally But Knicks Come Up Short

There is a different feeling to the game when Toney Douglas checks in. The Knicks become quicker offensively and better defensively overall with the backup point guard on the floor, which explains why the rookie is starting to see important playing time down the final stretch of the season.  

For the second straight game, Douglas played big minutes in the second half and was a key player down the stretch. Douglas’ numbers didn’t stick out on the box score Wednesday night in San Antonio – two points, three rebounds and a steal – but the rookie changed the pace of the game and New York rallied from a 15-point deficit with him on the floor before falling just short in a 97-87 loss to the Spurs.  

Before Douglas came off the bench past the midway point of the third quarter, it looked as though the Knicks were ready to call it a night. But within four minutes of his second stint in the game, the Knicks forced the Spurs into four turnovers – including a 5-second inbound violation, which was a result Douglas’ defensive tenacity away from the ball. The Knicks rode his energy until the end.  

“I love defense,” Douglas said. “It’s fun to me picking up, messing with the ball handlers who are bringing the ball up and just making them not get into their plays real easily and making them uncomfortable. I did that a little bit and got a rhythm going.”  

Douglas played 23 minutes, including 11 in the fourth quarter when the Knicks got within 83-82 on a Danilo Gallinari free throw with 3:58 left to play. Two nights earlier, Douglas was on the court in the final minutes as the Knicks held off the Atlanta Hawks for a 99-98 victory at Madison Square Garden.  

“His defense kind of picks up the intensity there and it’s infectious,” Coach Mike D’Antoni said.  

David Lee led the Knicks with 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, while Wilson Chandler scored 17. Tracy McGrady returned to the lineup after resting his sore legs following a grueling schedule in his return from knee surgery and added six points, seven rebounds and four assists in his return.  

Even with McGrady back in the fold, Douglas was once again the first guard off the bench. McGrady had started three games at the point before being sidelined, but he started at the other guard position in San Antonio while Sergio Rodriguez began the night at point guard.     

Douglas is becoming the Knicks’ best perimeter defender in limited action this season, but he still needs to continue developing his point guard skills. D’Antoni often points out Douglas’ need to get better with his pick-and-roll play and to find the open man on offense, which the Knicks believe he will improve on with more opportunities.   

“That just (takes) time and talk and just showing him and doing it over,” D’Antoni said. “He has the ability to be able to get there - he’s not there yet - but we hope we can help him get there for sure.”   

While the Knicks are taking a long look at Douglas, they were unable to see Eddy Curry return from knee surgery. Curry, who was scheduled to play for the first time since Dec. 17, was held out with a sore strained calf, the same injury that held him out of training camp.   

“The biggest thing is just to get Eddy in as many games as he can go and get him back to where he kicks off a great summer of work,” D’Antoni said before the game. “The biggest thing is to get him healthy, get him well and just try to work him in as best we can.”