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MARQUEE MATCHUP
David Lee vs. Chris Bosh
These two get after each other no matter what the circumstance. But the stakes have been raised for Bosh just a little bit more than usual. Coming back after a six-game absence and knowing his team's playoff hopes rely on a strong finish, Bosh has all but declared the remainder of the season playoff games for the Raps. Individually, Lee has gotten the better of Bosh in the first two games averaging 27 points and 16 rebounds against Toronto in although the Raps are 2-0 thanks largely to Bosh's 22.5 points and 9.5 rebound average. Bosh did have 40 points in the Jan. 11 game, which is the most the Knicks have given up to any one player this season.
SCOUTING REPORT
The Knicks are a much different team than the one the Raps faced twice in January. Tracy McGrady started at point guard for the Knicks which will be a matchup problem for the smaller Raptors' point guards. Gone is Nate Robinson, who has given the Raps fits in the past, but it's not all good news. The Knicks now have Eddie House coming off their bench. As a member of the Celtics, House could be counted on to come off the bench and hit a bunch of three's against the Raps. New York can score with the best of them, but defensively they are at least as challenged as the Raptors have been this season.
DID YOU KNOW
Chris Duhon and Raptors guard Jarrett Jack are cousins ... Mike D'Antoni and Raptors assistant Marc Iavaroni were teammates in Italy and worked together in Phoenix ... Tracy McGrady recorded perhaps his best game as a Knick, with 21 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, three steals and one block over a season-high 34 minutes in the Knicks 128-104 win over Detroit on Wednesday ... Former Celtic Bill Walker has started the past two games at shooting guard for the Knicks.
