The Knicks look to have a Happy Va-LIN-tine's Day visiting Toronto looking for their 6th straight win. With Jeremy Lin continuing leading this melo-less Knicks team, they will be welcoming back Amar'e Stoudemire back from his 4 game absence due to family circumstances.
Lin tonight will be looking to pass Shaquille O' Neal in most points scored by any player in first 5 NBA starts of 129 points. Lin already holds a new record since the NBA/ABA merger for most points in first 4 starts at 109 points. This will be the first full game back for Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin starting together.
New York started out slow in the first quarter scoring 21 points and giving up 28 while shooting 0-3 on 3 pointers vs Raptors 2-3. Jeremy Lin providing 4 points and 4 assists with only 1 turnover going up against Torontos PG Jose Calderon coming out hot with 12 points. Things did not get better during the 2nd quarter for the knicks and in fact, Jeremy Lin was the only one on the court showing any vital signs with a game statline of 9 points, 6 assists, a steal and 5 turnovers. Amar'e Stoudemire added 8 points in the half but was very quiet on the boards only collecting 3 rebounds. At Half the Knicks trailing 47-36 while getting outperformed in FG%, 3PT%, assists, rebounds and committing 4 more turnovers.
In the 2nd half the Knicks start their comback led by Jeremy Lin and Amar'e Stoudemire. Lin dishing out 5 assists and 3 of them to Amar'e for dunks or open layups. Late in the 4th quarter the Knicks struggle from the free throw line, Lin missing 2 in a row followed by Tyson Chandler missing 2 in a row. With 3:57 left in regulation Knicks down 86-77 the Jeremy Lin goes back to the free throw line after missing 2. He makes his first then misses his 2nd with Amar'e coming up with a huge offensive rebound leading to Landry Fields bucket. bringing the knicks within 6. The Knicks defense is coming alive with Chandler getting a block followed by another jumper made by Stoudemire bringing the Knicks within 4. 1;33 left in the game Shumpert steals the ball from Calderon at midcourt for an easy layup. Knicks down 3 after Raptor FT. Next possesion, Chalderon dribbles up court passes to Derozon, Chandler blocks another shot. Knicks recover. Lin drives to the hole, fouled, and 1, 3 point play, makes the free throw. Tie game, 65 seconds to go. Knicks come up with a defensive stop. Shumpert takes a jumper with 22 seconds left, misses but who else than Tyson Chandler coming up with an offensive rebound. Lin holds out for the last shot at half court watching time tick away. With 6 seconds left Lin dribbles up to Chalderon and knocks down a 3 pointer with 0.5 seconds left in his face. THERES NO WAY HE DID IT AGAIN BUT HE DID.....ITS LINSANITY! Knicks hold off and win 90-87 for their unthinkable 6th straight win. Lin Finished with the game high 27 points, career high 11 assists, 1 steal and 8 turnovers while shooting 9-20 from the field and 7-11 on free throws. Minutes per game is definatly something new for Lin that he is getting used to still. With 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter Lin reached the 40 minute mark in tonights game posting a game high of 43 minutes. For all you Knicks fans and or all of you Jeremy Lin fans......Great things are coming. New York comes back to the Garden tomorow night at 7:30 EST to host the Sacremento Kings, looking for their 7th straight win. 
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