The moods in both the Knicks and Cavaliers locker rooms accurately matched what just transpired on the floor on a night when the soul of Reggie Miller took the body of Damon Jones ? for a half.

Jones scored 24 of his 29 points in the first half, as he lit up the Knicks for 6 of 7 shooting from 3-point territory during those initial 24 minutes.

LeBron James also scored 29, though in a far quieter and more subtle manner than Jones.  The perimeter shooting of Jones freed up James and Larry Hughes to be at their most effective, which is when they can outplay the opposing wings with their superior all-around play.

?We?re getting better in spurts,? said Stephon Marbury.  ?In order for us to get to where we want to be we need to do it for 48 minutes.?

Leading the comeback charge for the Knicks wasn?t Marbury though, but Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford.  Robinson made the improbable look easy time after time, shooting 9-10 from the field.  With Marbury and Steve Francis combining to go 1-10 from the floor, it is clear that the younger guards are beginning to surpass the elders as the scorers the Knicks need to lean on.

?I?m probably being too laid back,? added Marbury.  ?I?m trying to do something that I?ve never done before.

?I believe in what Isiah is trying to do.?