In sixth grade gym we had to run a mile. The teacher lined us all up at the starting line, preached the importance of pacing ourselves and told us our times would be recorded. We braced. The whistle blew. And I took off as fast as I could. I was good for a half a mile. Then, exhausted, I slumped to a sorry finish.
The Knicks were good for three quarters last night versus Minnesota, then collapsed. Unlike me, they still had something left in the tank. The 103-99 victory was their fourth in five games and kicked off a four-game homestand on the right note — even if that note did turn awfully blue the last 12 minutes.