I try not to be too superstitious, but I have to admit that it was starting to bother me that since I started this blog, the Knicks proceeded to go through the ugliest stretch of the season. A sigh of relief, then, that the losing streak is over (it’s not my fault? Really?!), and that the team's play lately continues to evolve in a positive direction.

Make no mistake, though, this win was ugly, and it helped mightily to have the offensively challenged Bobcats as opponents. After a hot shooting first quarter filled with crisp ball movement and a series of highlight plays (none better than a soaring Wilson Chandler dunk over Okafor), the team came back down to Earth shooting-wise,  and there were a series of head-scratching turnovers that allowed the Bobcats to stay within striking distance until their fourth quarter comeback.

The fourth quarter was Wilson Chandler’s time to shine, which was very nice to see given the downward spiral he had fallen into since the trade of Jamal and ZBo. There was still some bad to go along with the good, but it was mostly good. Wilson’s highlights at the end:

•    4:05 left: Felton has just given the Bobcats their first lead of the game with a three at 83-82. Duhon drives on the next possession and dishes off to Jeffries who misses a jumper. Lee taps the rebound to Chandler on the left wing, who immediately takes it in to the lane for a short jumper and foul on Felton. Makes the free throw to put the Knicks up 85-83.

•    2:47 left: 85-84 Knicks. Felton misses a 3 point jumper, and Chandler soars above Wallace and Okafor to pull down the rebound and draw the foul on Wallace. Great athletic play on the part of WC.

•    2:28 left: Chandler takes the ball to the hoop across the lane strong against Wallace (right after a Charlotte timeout) and makes it 87-84 Knicks.

•    1:46 left: Chandler’s one major mistake in the fourth quarter – Wallace drives and Jeffries moves to cut him off. Chandler goes over to double team and leaves Diaw completely open on the corner. Wallace passes over and Diaw makes the three to tie the game at 87.

•    56 seconds left: Chandler draws the foul on Diaw and makes two clutch free throws to give the Knicks the lead for good at 89-87.

Best of all, Wilson attempted NO 3 pointers, after shooting 5 for 18 in that category the previous four games. I’m guessing the coaches got through to him this time on the need to be aggressive and not settle for corner jumpers.

Props to Duhon again for another strong effort and more than holding his own against Charlotte’s three headed point guard monster of Felton-Augustin-Singletary. Nate generally played more under control, but the more tempered approach may be affecting his shot (2-11, 0-6 on threes). Al had his best game in a while, even as he still seems hesitant on his perimeter shots – the team’s spacing in this game gave him better opportunities to drive, though, and make something happen without disrupting the motion of the offense significantly.

And Jared Jeffries continues to evolve as a solid all around defender and hustle guy who can contribute in multiple categories (8 pts, 5 rebs, 3 steals, 3 blocks) – as long as he doesn’t get carried away with going one-on-one (he will generally have one or two cringe-worthy attempts per game), the Knicks benefit from his energy and versatility.

On the injury front, Tim Thomas unfortunately seems to have hurt his toe badly enough that he only played nine minutes yesterday, while Q Rich seems OK after missing most of two games and contributed a solid 11 points.

Good win – let’s hope there isn’t as long a wait for the next one as we start 2009. Happy New Year to everyone!