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TORONTO - Even though the New York Knicks lost again, Larry Brown thinks they gained something Friday night.
Chris Bosh scored 29 points, and the Toronto Raptors beat the struggling Knicks 104-90 on Friday night — hours after the teams completed a trade.
Before the game, Toronto sent Jalen Rose to New York for Antonio Davis, a first-round draft pick and cash.
Rose and Davis did not play — Brown thought it would be unfair to throw Rose into action immediately. Rose sat on New York’s bench wearing suit.
Brown said Rose will fill a need at small forward, a weakness for the Knicks all season.
“We tried but we just we have some deficiencies that hopefully Jalen will help alleviate,” Brown said. “I think he’ll take a lot of pressure off the perimeter people and make the big guys bigger.”
The Knicks also could have used Stephon Marbury, who missed the game with a sore shoulder. Quentin Richardson also missed the second half with an ankle injury.
Eddy Curry scored 17 points for the Knicks, who have lost four straight and 10 of 11.
Their struggles began with a 129-103 loss to Toronto on Jan. 15, when Rose showcased his ability to post up smaller forwards by scoring a season-high 31 points.
Eight of New York’s last 10 losses have been by 11 points or more.
Curry also said the 33-year-old Rose will make a difference.
“He can still play, he can go out there and put up numbers with the best of them,” Curry said. “The sooner he becomes active within our system, the better it’s going to be for us.”
Rose said he’ll be nervous when he makes his debut at home against Houston on Sunday.
He said he’s going from one rebuilding situation to another, although he said the Knicks have a chance of winning sooner.
“I don’t think it’s a total rebuilding situation,” Rose said.
Morris Peterson added 21 points for the Raptors, who have won three straight. Toronto fired general manager Rob Babcock last week and replaced him with Wayne Embry on an interim basis.
Embry made the trade so Toronto could receive cap room this summer when Davis’ contract is up.
Toronto led by as many as 21 points in the second half.
New York cut the lead to 11 in the fourth quarter, but Peterson made a 3-pointer to give Toronto a 102-85 lead with 2:28 remaining.
Peterson had 13 points in the first quarter, including a heave from halfcourt as time expired. Peterson pointed at Rose and laughed as Toronto led 30-17 after the first.
Peterson said he and Rose always worked on those shots after practice and that they bet on who would be the first to make one this season.
“It’s just kind of ironic that on the day he got traded I would make that shot,” Peterson said.
New York had 12 turnovers in the first half and Toronto led 64-47.
New York’s 21 turnovers led to 31 points.
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Notes: Marbury missed three games after injuring the shoulder on Jan. 16 against Minnesota and played with pain since then. ... Rose’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors all season, but he had been difficult to deal because he is making $15.7 million this season and he has an option at $16.9 million next season. ... New York was embarrassed on its home court Tuesday, getting routed 130-97 by the Lakers. ... Davis has taken his old locker with Toronto, the one vacated by Rose.
PBT: Boston's Rajon Rondo continues to be named in trade talks, which is madness. The Celtics guard creates offense and makes everyone around him better, which was evident in Sunday's win over the Bulls.
Paul Pierce has been around long enough to know what Rajon Rondo's performance can mean for the aging Boston Celtics.
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