Shawn Marion and the Raptors didn't have to wait very long to avenge an ugly loss at Madison Square Garden.
Marion had 16 points and 15 rebounds for his second double-double in as many games and injected life into Toronto's fast-break attack in beating New York 111-100 yesterday, two days after absorbing a 30-point loss against the Knicks. "It's good the way this team responded to adversity," said all-star forward Chris Bosh. "It's all about effort.
Raptors 111, Knicks 100
"We played good defence, we rebounded the ball well and, for the first time in a very long time, we ran the fast break well."
Marion's speed and athleticism helped Toronto score a season-high 29 points on the fast break after entering the game averaging an National Basketball Association-worst eight points per game on the run.
The key to any fast-break team is a well-balanced offensive attack and that's what Toronto got in front of a capacity crowd of 19,800.
Andrea Bargnani had 28 points and 10 rebounds while Anthony Parker added 24 points as all five starters scored in double figures.
Bosh, who was playing in just his second game since returning from a sprained right knee, recorded 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Jose Calderon added 13 points with 11 assists as every starter except Parker recorded a double-double.
The last time Toronto had four players accomplish that feat was Feb. 23, 2001.
"Guys were out running the lanes and scoring in transition," said head coach Jay Triano. "Everybody gets enough touches and it makes it fun to play.
"That's what we want to do while (Marion) is in the game. Until he learns some of our schemes offensively and defensively, we said, 'Rebound the Basketball, get out and push the ball up the floor and see what's available,'" he added.
Al Harrington had 31 points and seven rebounds for New York while slam-dunk champion Nate Robinson added 18 points off the bench.
