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TONIGHT'S NOTES |
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The Sonics had a chance to tie in the closing seconds, but Ray Allen missed a 3-pointer and Stephon Marbury dribbled out the clock.
The Knicks snapped a two-game losing streak and a five-game road losing streak. New York won in Seattle for the first time since April 5, 2002.
Seattle had a three-game winning streak snapped.
The Knicks outscored the Sonics 63-51 during the second half. New York went on an 12-2 run over the third and fourth quarters to take its first lead of the game.
Ray Allen led the Sonics with 25 points, but shot just 9-for-28 from the field.
Vladimir Radmanovic scored a season-high 23 points. Radmanovic shot 5-for-7 from 3-point range.
Rashard Lewis scored 18 points, but had just eight over the last three quarters.
Danny Fortson scored a season-high 11 points, hitting 7-of-7 free throws.
Seattle native Jamal Crawford scored all of his season-high 31 points in the second half. Crawford had 19 in the fourth quarter alone and shot 5-for-7 in the period.
Making his second start, former Sonics center Jerome James posted season highs in minutes (15:28), points (nine) and rebounds (five).
Nate Robinson, in his first trip back to Seattle as a professional, scored 10 points.
New York's 45 free-throw attempts were the most against the Sonics this season. Crawford's 11 makes and 12 attempts were both career highs.
The Knicks attempted just one 3-pointer during the first half, making it. They finished the game 5-for-6, including a season-high four (in four attempts) from Crawford.
The Sonics dropped to 0-3 this season when they've had the chance to move over .500.
New York improved to 5-1 when scoring at least 100 points.
Led by Crawford, the Knicks bench combined for 63 points.
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December 6, 2005
SONICS COACH 
BOB WEISS:
On the game:
The guys I worried about going into the game, we knew
(Stephon) Marbury was tough, but
(Jamal) Crawford coming home was a dangerous player. I didn’t know he was that dangerous - 31 points in a half. He was just unstoppable in the second half and
(Channing) Frye plays very steady. It was same old story with us, we gave up 45 free throws and it’s tough for us to win when that happens. I thought we were brilliant in the last two games in following the game plan, staying down, making them shoot the ball over us, and keeping them away from the free-throw line. Tonight we jumped at too many people and started their parade to the free-throw line.
On 
Robert Swift starting the second half:
Reggie (Evans) was not feeling well and in the locker room, so it was a last minute thing. I tried to keep the rotations the same with the other people. And we did okay in that period, we built up a little lead, but it just changed things a little bit.
On defending Crawford:
Well, that was a Kobe Bryant-like thing. He was hitting them from the outside, he goes 4-for-4 from 3. It's kind of an anomaly when guys are going to shoot from out there and make the shots that he did. That’s difficult. He made a lot of tough shots. Some of those were two steps behind the 3-point line. That was a just a testament to his shooting.
On the Sonics offense:
We didn’t shoot the ball well. We shot 42.5 percent against a team we should be getting pretty good shots on. I thought we came out with energy; we just couldn’t put them away. We let them hang around, and then Jamal really got it going. When that happens you really have got to play flawlessly to win and Jamal was great and Frye was terrific - 6-for-8, seven rebounds, two blocks; he’s a good player.
On the New York defense taking 
Rashard Lewis out of the game:
They just started doubling him. They did a good job of pushing him out, running at him, creating mismatches and we weren’t able to take advantage of it.
FORWARD REGGIE EVANS:
On the loss:
It really doesn’t slow us down, but it hurts. It hurts real bad. We know we should have had this game but at the end it’s would of, could of, should of. We needed this game really bad because we’re at home and we just need to stop losing. We didn’t give it away, New York played a great game. You have to give it to them, New York played a great game. Jamal had a great game.
FORWARD 
VLADIMIR RADMANOVIC:
On the game:
We didn’t put this team away in the first half and Jamal got hot. We couldn’t find an answer to stop him and he carried them. They were more aggressive. They shot 40-something free throws. And that’s the game. We can’t just them penetrate constantly and let them go to the free-throw line. That’s the easiest shot they can get. We played their game.
NEW YORK HEAD COACH LARRY BROWN:
On Crawford's performance:
I thought he had a great game. A lot of players had good games out there. They never quit and they made a lot of big shots. We had to make some big shots and some big free throws. It’s a great win for us. We hung on and made plays, and we’ve lost our share of games like these.
On Marbury:
He played great. He took it to the basket more. It was a tough matchup defensively for everybody. Steph hit a huge jumper, and we got a win. We turned it over too much, but we won the rebounding. We outrebounded them, and that got us to the free-throw line. Eddy (Curry) was in foul trouble and we didn’t really have a low post presence, so we got to drive the ball with Nate (Robinson) and Stephon and Jamal (Crawford), that played a big part for us. But I thought Penny (Hardaway)’s play just kind of settled us down, we had an extra ball handler, and that really helped.
On the homecoming game for Crawford and Robinson:
It’s always tough, but I thought Nate was great. This was by far his best game. You know, on the road he’s been struggling, which most young rookies do, but I think with his coach and family here, it’s not easy, but the reception was great. With Jamal, he’s done this before. He got hurt in the Boston game, and then had a heck of a run here. I’m proud of those guys. I’m proud of Jerome (James), I thought Jerome gave us some solid minutes when Nate was in there as well. I’m proud of them all. They are a well-coached team.
On Robinson:
I want him to get better. I want him to defend better, to rebound better and get a better feel for the game. I’m thrilled with the way he is playing. He is a young kid who wants to be coached.
GUARD JAMAL CRAWFORD:
On his performance:
In the first half, when you come home, you have a tendency to try to do too much, so I just wanted to pick my spots out there. My teammates did a good job of finding me and set good screens, and Coach drew up some great plays. It was good to get the win, more importantly than anything. I think I played ok, Nate played pretty well, it was a good homecoming for all of us.
On the focus on Robinson:
Nate deserves this; this is his first time coming home. He helped UW turn things around, and he deserves all he's got. I’m happy for him. Nate has played in a lot of big games, so I think he is used to this. Coming home has been great. We did a lot, the whole team went to a restaurant, we watched Monday Night Football last night, and today we had the (Crawford) Court dedication (at Rainier Beach) and Nate came with me to that, and tonight we cap it off with a win, so it’s been great.
GUARD NATE ROBINSON:
On whether he felt pressure playing at home:
I don’t think so, but a lot of people might say so since this is my first time coming back home, but it’s just something I’m used to. It’s been like this throughout my whole life. It was a busy day, but when the lights come on, you’ve got to be ready to play. I had a blast. I mean, I love it here, and I’m happy to get the win.
On Crawford:
He was great. I was just thinking in my head, just keep getting him the ball, it’s like the hoop is as big as the ocean, he’s not going to miss too many shots. It was something we talked about. He played a great game. I just supported him throughout the whole game.
2005-06 Postgame Quotes/Notes Archive
