(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-01 18:36

The fans sure hadn't. They started booing the Knicks before the game even started, and the "Fire Isiah!" cries returned late in the first half.

Chinese player Yi Jianlian (R) of Milwaukee Bucks breaks through during the NBA game against New York Knicks in New York, the United States, Nov. 30, 2007. [Xinhua]

The cheers eventually came back. So did the Knicks.

The Knicks erased a 17-point deficit and took an 87-85 lead on Quentin Richardson's basket with 3:03 remaining. Mo Williams answered with a 3-pointer, but neither team scored again until Crawford banked in a jumper while being fouled for an 89-88 edge.

Redd missed with a chance to regain the lead, and the Knicks got the ball ahead to Jones for a clinching dunk with 0.4 to play. Redd missed a hurried 3 off the inbounds at the buzzer.

As usual, Thomas was loudly booed before the game. This time, the fans also booed again for the introduction of the Knicks' starters, but responded with a mock cheer when Eddy Curry when the opening tip.

It took the fans only 5 minutes for the jeers to come back after the Bucks raced to a 14-6 lead. Milwaukee shot 56.5 percent in the opening period, building a 29-19 advantage.

The lead quickly grew to 16, though the Knicks came right back to cut it to 37-32 with 5 1/2 minutes left in the half. Milwaukee quickly regained control behind a few jumpers from Redd and led 55-44 at the break.

The Knicks were only within single digits once in the third quarter, and the Bucks extended their lead to 71-54 with 4:32 left in the period. A late flurry by Crawford got New York within 12 points headed to the fourth.

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