Mozgov overcomes foul woes with big play
New York Knicks center Amar'e Stoudemire (1) reacts after being called for both a person and technical foul during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. (Feb. 6, 2011) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
NEWARK - For the second straight night, Timofey Mozgov picked up two fouls in the first quarter, forcing Mike D'Antoni to go to his bench. Ronny Turiaf, who had been out with a sprained right ankle, replaced the 7-1 Russian with 5:03 to go in the first quarter.
"It's going to take him a while not to foul all the time, but I thought he played well," D'Antoni said.
Though saddled with five fouls, Mozgov (six points, four rebounds) converted a three-point play late in the fourth quarter Nets - to the delight of his teammates - to help seal the Knicks' 105-95 victory over the
"Big fella, whenever he does something good, ooh, it's music to my ears," Landry Fields said. "I love that guy. He works hard, so I'm very proud of him."
Fit to be T'd
Amar'e Stoudemire has more than his right big toe to worry about. The Knicks star is only two technical fouls away from receiving an automatic one-game suspension after picking up his 14th technical in Friday night's 113-96 loss to the Lakers for arguing an offensive foul call.
According to league rules, starting at No. 16, players are suspended one game for every two technicals, along with $5,000 for each.
Stoudemire, who leads the Knicks with 26.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, also has had two technicals voided by the league.
Stoudemire has developed a reputation for being emotional during games and pleading his case to officials. But even with 29 regular-season games still remaining, D'Antoni said he isn't too worried about his star's propensity for picking up technicals.
"He's pretty good about controlling himself," he said of Stoudemire, who drew 13 technicals with the Phoenix Suns last season. " . . . I hope he can control it."
