If the saying that defense wins championships is true, then the Knicks are on the right track in their quest to make the playoffs with the way they are protecting the basket right now. The Knicks’ defense was at its very best for three quarters Monday as they cruised to a convincing 93-84 victory over the Portland Blazers at The Garden to match their largest winning streak dating back to last season and get back in the playoff picture a quarter of the way through this NBA season. New York (7-15) has now won three in a row for the first time this season and four of its last five, including three victories against teams with winning records. “We need to get wins right now and I think the whole team is taking on the attitude of (doing) whatever it takes to win,” Jared Jeffries said. “I think guys are sacrificing some of their minutes, sacrificing shooting the ball, sacrificing their bodies and putting extra time in the gym to get this team over the hump.” The Knicks’ rotation remained at eight players for the second straight game and all eight did the little things it takes to win games. They recorded eight steals, six blocks and forced 18 turnovers. And it seemed as though every time the Blazers got near the rim the Knicks were set to take a charge. The Knicks held Portland to 18 points in the first quarter, 20 in the second and 18 in the third to build a 23-point advantage entering the final period. That’s 55 points for Portland, making it almost impossible for the Blazers to regain control of the game despite outscoring New York 29-15 in the fourth quarter. “For three quarters we looked really good but we slacked off in the fourth,” Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We got a little tight and we have to go through that because it was almost like, ‘Oh, are we supposed to be ahead like this?’ It’s also once you turn it off you can’t turn it back on. ” Although Jeffries’ numbers don’t stick out in the box score – six points, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks - he anchored the Knicks’ defense by taking charges, altering shots and fouling when needed to stop easy buckets. He was the key to the Knicks holding Portland to 39 percent shooting through three quarters. “Jared just brings the intangibles,” D’Antoni said. “With that many charges in the first half, he really just messes the other team up.” The rest of the Knicks followed Jeffries’ lead and made big defensive plays down the stretch to avoid a disaster. After Portland began the fourth quarter on 14-2 run, eventually getting as close as nine, David Lee came up with a huge block with 4:48 left to play to completely take the momentum away from the Blazers. “David had a big block at the end,” D’Antoni said. “I don’t think I’ve ever said that since I’ve been here.” Larry Hughes paced the Knicks offensively with 21 points, six boards and five assists. Lee finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. And Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler scored 14 apiece. Following Monday's win, the Knicks are two games back of the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference after getting off to their worst start in franchise history. “We put an email to God and he finally answered it so we’re money now,” Jeffries joked. “We really came together and we’re a team that can win and play this level. I think we’re playing there right now and the big goal is to keep it there.” Game Notes: Brandon Roy led three Blazers in double figures with 27 points. … New York is 3-2 when only playing eight players. … The Knicks improved to 4-1 in December after going 4-10 last December. … The Knicks posted four three-game winning streaks last season. … Eddy Curry was in uniform, but did not play. … The Knicks return to action on Friday when they visit the New Orleans Hornets. http://www.nba.com/knicks/gamerecaps/nykporrecap091207.html -- 裡面提到 上季尼克有四次三連勝 另外本季只用八名球員時，戰績三勝兩敗 好像沒有明顯比較好 不過也算精簡就是了 --

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