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Andrea Bargnani and the Knicks can’t beat the forward’s former team Monday night.
TORONTO – Andrea Bargnani suited up against his former Raptors team on Monday night, one day after the Knicks forward sat out practice with a stiff back.
“I feel good. I just needed a little stretch,” Bargnani said before scoring 13 points on 4-for-12 shooting over 29 minutes in the Knicks’ 123-120 double-overtime – yes, double overtime – loss at Air Canada Centre.
Bargnani opened the game up front alongside Tyson Chandler and Carmelo Anthony, with Beno Udrih and Tim Hardaway Jr. starting in the backcourt. Raymond Felton (hamstring), Iman Shumpert (elbow) and Kenyon Martin (ankle) did not play, and Pablo Prigioni also was out due to “a stomach bug.
Udrih led the Knicks with 19 points, Metta World Peace had 16 and Anthony scored nine on 4-for-13 from the field in 27 minutes, none after the third quarter. Chandler and Hardaway added 15 points apiece, while Toure’ Murry scored 12, including a half-court turnaround heave at the third-quarter buzzer.
DEFENSE RESTS
Bad defensive switches – one by Ike Diogu on Tyler Hansbrough’s slam late in the fourth, and another between Murry and Hardaway on Terrence Ross’ buzzer-beating three – forced the two extra sessions.
“I thought our young guys competed…but we came out on the short end,” Woodson said. “I’m not blaming them, they’re still in school, trying to learn what we’re about from a defensive standpoint. We had so many mistakes (with switches), but those are things that will come.”
TIME OF KNEED
Woodson said he’s “hoping” both Amar’e Stoudemire and J.R. Smith, who are rehabbing from knee surgeries, will be cleared to scrimmage here on Tuesday for the first time during camp. The final two preseason games will be Wednesday against the Bucks in Green Bay and Friday against Charlotte at the Garden, and both injured players have said in recent days they are targeting appearing in the latter game.
“They had some workouts today individually and we’ll see how they feel (Tuesday). If our medical staff gives the OK, there’s a chance they probably can scrimmage some,” Woodson said.
TWO, THE HARDAWAY
Hardaway, the Knicks’ first round pick, started at shooting guard and scored 15 points – albeit on just 4-for-16 shooting – in a team-high 39 minutes.
“He’s a young kid that desperately wants to play. From a coach’s standpoint, that’s great,” Woodson said of Hardaway. “But he’s poised. He’s not a panicky type kid. He’s been able to make shots. I think once he learns all the other parts of playing the two-three and just having the basketball, that’s something he didn’t do a whole lot at Michigan.
“I’m not a coach that just settles. If I feel a player can advance and do something a little more to help it’s my job to try and get it out of him. I think he has the capabilities of being a playmaker with the ball. He’s just got to learn how to do it at this level and feel comfortable about doing it. I think that will eventually come.”
