New York Knicks coach Larry Brown had a feeling that Stephon Marbury was ready for a breakout game.

Marbury scored a season-high 27 points Sunday to help New York beat the Portland Trail Blazers 103-92, giving Brown his first Knicks victory at Madison Square Garden.

''I thought Steph was phenomenal,'' Brown said. ``I loved the way he was being aggressive. I told people before the game he would play great.''