Editor's Note: Another night, another top-notch guest recap. Here's latrell...

Yes, I went to the Izod. Yes, the Knicks won. Yes, the Nets are still terrible. Yes, this is your recap.

Somehow, I always manage to get to the Izod for a special promotion. Today was no different - it's Nickelodeon Day at the Izod! Hooray! In fact, the national anthem was sung by none other than:

via i607.photobucket.com

Sad part is, I'm serious - the voice actor for Dora belted out the anthem, and a Dora mascot strolled around the stadium. Other mascots in attendance included Sly Fox, Mini Sly Fox, and Glorious (the hype man who sounds like an AND1 reject). By the way, Sly Fox nearly paralyzed a Nets dancer - twice. I'm guessing that having a furry-handed mascot flip a cheerleader in the air is a bad idea.

Interesting pre-game, though. Highlights included a spirited bout of one-on-one between Gallo and Nate, Darko attempting no-look layups, and Jordan Hill gleefully running amok without pants. Moving on. 

First Half:

I gotta be honest; I didn't see a whole lot in the first quarter. Apparently, I was sitting in the wrong section for the majority of the quarter, and it took multiple trips to the usher to get resolved. It didn't help that a couple of bums snuck into my real seats. Sad state of affairs in NJ, when anyone can sneak into the 8th row behind the bucket and no one gives a damn. When are these cats moving to (Moscow) Brooklyn?

Anyway, I think I saw Duhon and Hughes make open jumpers, which is mind-boggling. What's also mind-boggling is Lawrence Frank not starting Devin Harris. Are you trying to go 0-13? 

Also, I did not see Nate pull a Benedict Arnold and shoot at the wrong bucket, but good move by D'Antoni giving him the hook. It's not like he was playing well anyway - the only thing I can remember is a turnover. By the way, between Nate and Toney Douglas...when are we gonna sign Kevin Hart? You know, this guy:

via i607.photobucket.com

"I'm a grown little man!"

Back to important stuff. Eddy Curry changed the game; Lopez simply couldn't handle him. Everybody got open looks, there was ball movement, and the people of New York rejoiced. If the Knicks can get him in shape to play 30 minutes, this is suddenly a decent team. However, I must also admit - Sean Williams took him out of the game just by fronting or playing 3/4 defense on him. Not a good sign.

52-43 at the half, stats relatively even except the Knicks made five 3-pointers and the Nets did not. I know this since I saw the halftime show when I was in the MGM Lounge, the code name for the Izod Center's basement. To be honest, it seemed like the Knicks should have been up 20, even though Gallo and a few other Knicks had butterfingers all half. The Nets ran something that could hardly be characterized as an offense, and the Knicks hit open shots and played with energy.

Second Half:

Well, that escalated quickly! I think Mike D'Antoni killed a guy with a trident.

via i607.photobucket.com

I can't remember the order that anything happened in, but the simple summary is that the Knicks played some great defense, got in the passing lanes, and broke open the game. At one point the lead was 14, 16, or 278 - I don't remember specifics.

Of course, then D'Antoni decided to bring in the "I Can't Shoot All-Stars" (Duhon, Hughes, Chandler, Lee, Harrington), and the Nets brought it back within 1. Maybe those guys shouldn't drive directly into the hands of Lopez and Sean Williams when they're blocking shots with primal fury.

In the clutch, the Knicks hit a few put backs, free throws, and Harrington delivered the dagger (literally, to his own chest - dumb celebration). His three with 59 seconds left made it 94-87, and the game was a wrap. Nets fans bolted for the exits faster than you can say "In Soviet Russia, basketball games lose Nets!" Well, that's sort of a tongue twister, but you get the picture. 

Nets of interest:

• Douglas-Roberts: Plays exactly like a young Jamal Crawford. Finished with 24 points and really took over in some spots. Decent player, if he doesn't have to pass. Also, he appears to have extensive conversations with himself while dribbling - but that could just be his swine flu talking.
• Lopez: Uh, Curry killed him, but Lee couldn't guard him. Typical Knicks against a 7-footer problem.
• Terrence Williams: Really athletic, jumps extremely high on his jumper, and the Knicks cheated off of him to help on Lopez too much. T-Will hit multiple threes, which probably doesn't happen if we have a real center in the game. 
• Harris: Looked just as good as ever when he wanted to be, but Frank clearly had him on a short leash and he never got fully in rhythm. If this game happened again in a week, the Nets probably win with a healthy Harris. Rafer Alston nearly skipped them out of the game; did he make a shot? 
• Sean Williams: The perfect backup big, just hacks relentlessly and gets blocks and boards. Can't Jordan Hill start doing this, like immediately?

Knicks of interest:

• Duhon: You know what, I think he played efficiently tonight. Made some open jumpers, didn't turn the ball over too much, and might have even delivered a good pass once. This does not get him out of the doghouse, but it could have been worse.
• Harrington: Played aggressively, as usual - but didn't jack up too many terrible shots. Nice game by him. Also, I heard two great fan quotes about him. "Harrington brings his A game every night!" was a classic - could anything be less true? The other, as Al shot crucial free throws: "Number 7, show 'em what you're made of!" Harrington proceeded to brick the FT. 
• Curry: Already talked about him; he changes the complexion of the game, but really needs to play more minutes. Not sure if that's on him or on D'Antoni right now.
• Gallo: Couldn't do anything early, but had a few good shots late. I also believe there was a cock block somewhere along the line.
• Chandler: Lots of effort and hustle plays tonight, but nothing else; I think he's lost confidence in his shot. I'm concerned about Wil - I don't think he's living up to his potential. At the very least, he should be a defensive stopper, but Hughes was on CDR for most of the 2nd half.
• Rookies: Douglas D'ingWTDD in limited minutes, Hill with the DNP-CD. 

Endgame:

Knicks are now 3-9, which puts them 3rd in the East. I'm kidding, but the point is that maybe we're not dead in the water yet. The same cannot be said about the 0-13 Nets. Enjoy John Wall, Prohkorov! 

Viva la Eddy Curry! Viva la Knicks!