01-07-2006, 07:56 AM
Quote:Frye nets 30 as Knicks knock off Wizards at home
NEW YORK (AP) -- Although his production had dropped off from earlier in the season, Channing Frye didn't lose any confidence.
The rookie matched his season high with 30 points, including 11 during a decisive 15-4 run in the third quarter, and the New York Knicks beat the Washington Wizards 113-92 Friday night.
"This past month a lot of people have been down on me because my numbers weren't what they were the first month," Frye said. "Coach [Larry Brown] was challenging me to do other things. I'm just trying to get better every day."
Stephon Marbury had 16 points and 11 assists, and Nate Robinson added 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists as New York won consecutive games for just the second time this season -- the first time at home.
"Last time we won two in a row was on the West Coast trip," Brown said. "It's been a long time coming."
After needing three overtimes to beat Phoenix on Monday night, the Knicks took care of things in the second half.
"They were feeling pretty good about themselves," Brown said of the marathon win. "The attitude at practice was really positive, so obviously that helped."
Caron Butler made a pair of free throws to tie the score for the 11th and final time at 63-all with 5:25 left in the third quarter, before New York went on its game-turning run.
Frye scored his points during that spurt on five free throws, a dunk, a 19-foot jumper and a steal and a bank shot.
"I'm trying to be versatile, so I'm not just a standup jump shooter," he said. "That's part of my game but I want to incorporate everything I can do."
Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison scored 22 points apiece to lead Washington, which has lost four straight since a three-game winning streak. Butler added 16 points for the Wizards.
Arenas, coming off back-to-back games with at least 40 points, had 16 in the first quarter.
Washington, coming off a 123-111 loss to Houston on Tuesday night, was beaten by a last-place team for the second straight game.
"Maybe we're not as good as we think we are," Arenas said. "We keep thinking we're this playoff team, and we are getting beat by bottom-feeding teams. Maybe we need to look at ourselves a little bit harder."
Maurice Taylor hit a jumper and Trevor Ariza had a dunk to stretch New York's lead to 84-68 early in the fourth quarter.
Jamison hit a 3-pointer with 10½ minutes left to cut the deficit to 13 before the Knicks scored eight straight points to seal the win.
New York, which lost 12 of 14 in December, outrebounded Washington 49-30, and gave up just eight offensive boards.
"The way we rebounded the ball tonight was exceptionally well," Marbury said. "We didn't give them any second chances."
With the Wizards trailing 20-17, Arenas scored 11 points in a 13-5 run over the final 3:41 of the first quarter as Washington took a five-point lead.
New York used a 6-0 run, capped by David Lee's 17-foot jumper, to take a 40-39 lead near the midpoint of the second quarter.
Jamison had a three-point play and a driving finger roll to give the Wizards a 51-46 edge with 2:21 left.
However, the Knicks closed the half with a 6-0 run, including a jumper by Marbury, a fast-break dunk by Ariza and a jumper by Taylor.
Game notes
Frye also scored 30 against Milwaukee on Dec. 12. ... Guards Jamal Crawford (sprained left foot) and Quentin Richardson (back spasms) were inactive for the Knicks. Also, Penny Hardaway is working out in Houston with former NBA coach John Lucas and a physical therapist to try to strengthen his knee so he can return to the team. ... New York plays eight of its next 11 games at home. ... The Knicks' previous two-game win streak was on the road, Nov. 13-14 against Sacramento and Utah. ... F Jarvis Hayes, C Peter Ramos and F Awvee Storey were inactive for Washington.