Isiah Thomas said yesterday he wasn't trying to send a message to Stephon Marbury. It was just a case of Nate Robinson having a big night that kept Marbury on the bench Friday for the final 4:43 of the Knicks' 110-106 loss at Cleveland.

Robinson, who finished with 19 points, entered late in the fourth with the Cavaliers ahead by eight points but couldn't work further magic after leading a Knicks' third-quarter surge.

"You put the best people in who are playing well that night," Thomas said. "The focus is that game and winning that night and moving to the next game. I thought Nate was playing well; he had it going. He was playing well in all areas, so it was a judgment call."