Last Night's Action: A Rare Sign of Life

• Knicks 89, Pistons 65: Fans leaving Madison Square Garden on Sunday night had to be asking each other, "Where are the Knicks and what have they done with them?" Normally New York outscores its opponents by 18 in a quarter only when it is down by 25 or so. But the Knicks' 28-10 advantage in the third period helped them put this game out of reach from one of the Eastern Conference's elite teams. Zach Randolph -- 25 points, eight rebounds -- appeared inspired by Friday's benching. The Knicks' defense for once proved stingy. They shouldn't get too excited though. After they beat the Cavaliers at home on Dec. 19, they lost seven straight games. In fact, Sunday's win ended a stretch of nine of 10 games lost.
  
• Islanders 3, Senators 1: Marc-Andre Bergeron and Mike Comrie scored unassisted goals in the third period to lift the Islanders, who won their second straight game. The victory also lifted them out of a tie for the basement in the Atlantic Division.

Photo of Zach Randolph by AP/Ed Betz