KNICK AND TUCK

Phoenix was up by 13 with about seven minutes left, but the Knicks have converted three straight three-point plays (of both varieties) and now it's 99-92. Meanwhile, Amare Stoudemire has five fouls and David Lee is playing like Keith Lee when he was at Memphis.

But Phoenix has Mr. Potential Three-Time MVP. Nash buried a three from straight away and then he drew a charging fould on Jamal Crawford on a drive where Crawford made the basket (discounted).

But now Nash was just stripped and David Lee just scored on a lay-up and got the foul. The Knicks might have won this game if Eddy Curry hadn't gone down with what looked like a high ankle sprain early in the fourth quarter.

Right now it's 106-95 Suns with 2:24 to play. Not a piee of art, but Phoenix is getting the job done.

The Knicks, on the other hand, have some nice pieces that just don't add up to a puzzle. Curry can be a workhorse. Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford and David Lee are all solid off the bench. And of course Starbury and Franchise are not playing tonight. But this is a team in search of a core, and of a style. Phoenix knows exactly what their roles are and what they want to do. That's the difference.

Kara Searle, ladies and gents:

http://www.karasearle.com/