Tracy McGrady and the Knicks are starting to work together. PHOTO BY CHRIS PUSATERI / LSV

NEW YORK – Entering Wednesday, the New York Knicks dropped 10 of their previous 11 games, and 17 of their last 21. 

Their most recent blunder at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday, a 31-point defeat, was the team’s third worst of the season.

Inconsistency has spelled trouble for the slumping Knicks. But something was different Wednesday evening at the Garden – team basketball – which has otherwise been absent for the majority of the year. 

It was this joint effort which propelled the Knicks past the Detroit Pistons in a 128-104 victory. The Knicks head to Canada Friday for a matchup with Toronto and then return home for a Saturday tilt with their lowly cross-river rivals, New Jersey.

As always, David Lee filled the stat sheet with his signature double-double magic. Lee ended with 21 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists.

Joining him this time, however, were teammates Al Harrington, Danilo Gallinari, Tracy McGrady, Eddie House and surprise breakout star Bill Walker, all of whom finished in double figures. 

Bill Walker had a career night for the Knicks. PHOTO BY CHRIS PUSATERI / LSV

Most importantly was unselfishness, which yielded 31 team assists, one short of their season high. This, combined with just eight turnovers, led to plenty of open looks.

“Offensively we were just sharing the basketball. Sometimes it just gets contagious when you start out a game that way you usually end that way,” said Harrington, adding “Everybody just kind of got involved.”

Harrington finished with a team-high 26, netting six of his eight attempts from three-point land.

“Today was one of those days where I actually felt like my old self,” McGrady commented. “As far as my movement, my timing and everything and my rhythm, I felt like I had another step.” 

Good news considering T-Mac’s last two game lines included zero points (0-for-3) and six points (3-for-7).

McGrady’s line against Detroit, including 21 points, eight assists, seven boards, and three steals, suggests a potential revival for the often injured swingman.

Clinging to a single digit lead to begin the fourth, New York had the upper hand.

Earlier in the season, the final quarter would be the Knicks’ Achilles heel. But a different night meant different results. The fourth proved to be the strongest for the orange and blue, who shot 70% (14-of-20 shooting), outscoring Detroit 34-19 to seal the victory.

Amid the good feelings, it should be noted that the Piston are on the same struggling level as the Knicks at this point in the season. 

Additionally, with the absence of Ben Wallace guarding the inside, the Knicks capitalized with a high percentage 42 points in the paint. 

So, with this season basically over, what does a commanding victory mean for the team moving forward?

If nothing else, the evening proved this team can play together, if only for 48 minutes.  And just maybe, the organization has found a hidden gem in the unassuming, yet highflying Bill “Sky” Walker. 

David Lee, who goes in for a dunk, finished with yet another double-double. PHOTO BY CHRIS PUSATERI / LSV

Pieces like Walker will be needed to act as the foundation for the potential arrival of some exciting new free agents.

Of course, D’Antoni’s focus remained with the ups and downs of the remainder of this season: “There will be nights where they will be running uphill, but I think overall we’ll see them trying to give an effort all the way till the end; that I don’t doubt at all.”