The Knicks emerged from the All-Star break last night as flat as one of their depressing January games, falling behind 61-49 at intermission with the Cavaliers scoring the most first-half points they had all season. Then de facto leader Tyson Chandler took over the locker room and let the Knicks have it.
“I didn’t want to lose to these guys,’’ said Chandler, who had 13 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and three steals.
“Coming out of the break, playing at home I felt like we gotta turn it up. We can’t wait. I just let my teammates know if we really want to be true contenders on nights like this, we gotta show it.’’
And so the Knicks did in outscoring Cleveland 71-42 in the second half.