Tampa 6 Yankees 3: After five games the biggest question in Yankeeland is what happened to the offense? 15 runs scored in five games is not what anyone expected from this team, but that’s where the Yankees stand thanks to some anemic hitting. It’s a collective slump with every regular not named Abreu, Rodriguez or Cabrera struggling. Some of the noteworthy failures right now are Jason Giambi is 1-for-12 (.083) Johnny Damon 2-for-18 (.111) and......

Marlins 5 Mets 4 (10 innings): Forget the final score, the biggest news was Pedro Martinez grabbing his left leg after a pitch in the fourth. Pedro later told reporters he felt a “pop” and will head for a MRI shortly. Needless to say, “pop” is not a good thing for a pitcher to feel and it seems very likely that Martinez will be heading to the DL. For how long remains to be seen,......

Phoenix 110 Nets 104: The Nets almost pulled it out in a topsy-turvy game, but the Suns proved to be too much. The Nets jumped out to a 10-point lead after one quarter, but Phoenix came back and took a one-point lead at halftime. The Nets got as close as a three-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but they simply couldn’t get over the hump. Vince Carter had 32 points in the loss.Philadelphia 4 Islanders......

Toronto 103 Knicks 95: The march to the end continued with another loss and another lack of defense. Zach Randolph didn’t play again (wink wink) but surprisingly Randoph Morris spent the night sitting on the bench. It’s clear from things like the 18-minute shoot-around the other day that Isiah simply doesn’t care anymore. And while that isn’t necessarily a surprise and may not even cost him a job in the organization, it is disappointing to......

Photograph of the Nets' Vince Carter trying to keep the ball from the Knicks' David Lee by Seth Wenig/AP Nets 106, Knicks 91: At this points, with Knicks fans just assuming defeat, the Nets picked a good time to avoid embarrassment and finally take down their rivals. Vince Carter had 27 points and Richard Jefferson poured in 26. New Jersey has faint playoff aspirations. They probably won't make it, but at least they have......

Rangers 2 Devils 1 (Shootout): These were two HUGE points. Thanks to a Dainius Zubrus goal in the first period, the Devils jumped out to an early lead. Both teams settled in and played smart, defensive hockey and it looked like that one goal might hold up. But, Ryan Callahan made a great move from behind the net and he threaded a pass across the crease that Chris Drury deposited into the net with under......

Rangers 5, Flyers 4 (SO): Maybe in the future coach Tom Renney will start backup goaltender Steve Valiquette against the Flyers. He came in relief of Henrik Lundqvist and stopped 17 of 18 shots, then put forth a perfect performance in the shootout. The reserve, who now has three wins against the Flyers this season, stabilized a game that saw both Lundqvist and Flyers goalie Antero Niittymaki yanked by the time two minutes were gone......

Photograph of Rangers Brandon Dubinsky and Jaromir Jagr celebrating Dubinsky's first period goal, with Hurricane Bret Hedican looking on, by Karl B DeBlake/AP Rangers 4 Carolina 2: It was the perfect blend of the old and the new for New York on Thursday. Brandon Dubinsky got things started for the Rangers with a great backhand off of the pretty feed from Jaromir Jagr. Sean Avery came off the bench at the right time to......

Penguins 4, Islanders 2: A busy day for the Islanders didn't end with a win. They signed Mike Comrie to a contract extension, shipped off resident thug winger Chris Simon to the Minnesota Wild and also got rid of Marc-Andre Bergeron for a draft pick. Then they faced the depleted Penguins -- who made the biggest deal of the day in adding Marian Hossa -- and lost a bizarre game. They outshot the Pens 52-21,......

76ers 124, Knicks 84: For the second time this season, the Knicks got blown out by the second-worst team in the division. How is that possible? Start with nine turnovers in the first quarter alone -- and 23 for the game. Sprinkle in some porous defense and everything should come out just fine. The Knicks lost by 40 despite shooting 46 percent from the floor. Too bad Philadelphia made 57 percent of its shots.Nets 110,......

While nothing is done until the players actually change teams, the Nets and Mavericks have agreed again on a trade that will send Jason Kidd to Dallas. After Devean George sabotaged the first deal with his refusal to waive his no-trade clause and Jerry Stackhouse incurred the wrath of the NBA with his comments, it took some creativity on both sides to complete the deal. The big winner is Keith Van Horn who got $4.3......

Islanders 4 Philadelphia 3: It has been a long three weeks since the Islanders last won. A seven-game losing streak came to a very satisfying end Tuesday night as New York came out firing against the Flyers. Trent Hunter got things going with a goal at 17:42 of the first. The Flyers tied it up in the second, but the Islanders took the lead and built it on two beautiful goals. Jeff Tambellini took advantage......

Nets 101, Mavericks 82: Ah, the schizophrenic Nets. After losing three straight, they've now won two in a row, and Sunday's win came against a legitimate title contender. It also came at the Izod Center, a place they have had trouble putting up good performances all season long. Maybe it's all the empty seats. Vince Carter put forth one of his best efforts of the season -- a 29-point, nine-rebound performance. And that was after......

Pacers 103, Knicks 100: Remember in the 90s when these teams enjoyed one of the best rivalries in sports? Those were the days. In 2008, they're playing to see who can have the longest losing streak. The biggest loser: the Knicks. They have now lost seven straight, the same streak the Pacers brought into this game. Zach Randolph turned in an inspired effort of 26 points, but he and his teammates didn't appear motivated on......

Kings 4, Rangers 2: Sometimes teams have quality efforts and still lose. That's what the Rangers put forth Tuesday. They had 41 shots on goal -- including 24 in the second period alone -- but only got two by Jason LaBarbera. Henrik Lundqvist wasn't at his best, and that didn't help. The Rangers had won three straight and five of six, but don't view this as a step backward. They still seem to be headed......

Jason Kidd trade rumors are hardly new, but this time, they're probably for real. Nets President Rod Thorn and the guard have made no secret of the seemingly obvious incentives for both parties to want a deal before the Feb. 21 NBA trading deadline. Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter, the younger parts of the Big Three, have expensive contracts. Kidd has had enough of playing well for a team that is inconsistent at best and......

Knicks 111 Nets 105: Something’s different with the Knicks. Not only did they win their third-straight game (a season high) Wednesday, but they did it with a comeback. New Jersey jumped out to a 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter and the Knicks responded. For some reason, they didn’t pack it in like they have on so many other nights. Jamal Crawford led the way with 35 points and eight assists, including......

Edmonton 3 Rangers 2 (shootout): Pinching defensemen have become a vital part of the Rangers’ offense and Dan Girardi showed that again Saturday. With New York stymied offensively and losing 1-0 midway in the third, Girardi came in and put the puck on net. The bounce was odd, but the result was good as the Rangers tied the game at 1. Unfortunately for New York, Ryan Hollweg took a stupid boarding penalty and his five-minute......

Spurs 97, Knicks 93: The Spurs entered this game nearly perfect at home. What chance did the Knicks have? At least their draft lottery position keeps getting better. Eddy Curry appeared to be motivated. He had 25 points and 12 rebounds. Too bad the Knicks let the Spurs shoot 50 percent from 3-point range. This game could have turned out differently. Nets 102, Bobcats 96: Until Friday, the Nets hadn't won four straight games.......

Nets 96, Magic 95: Vince Carter won this game with two clutch free throws at the end, but it was former Magic Darrell Armstrong who provided the biggest of several sparks off the bench. He had 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting and a critical hand on defense during Orlando's last possession. The Nets outscored the Magic, 31-18, in the fourth quarter and have now won five of six games. If they keep this up,......

Rangers 6, Maple Leafs 1: Nothing like making opponents pay dearly for their trips to the penalty box. The Rangers scored five of their six goals on the power play -- Blair Betts' icebreaker was the only even-strength goal -- and won their second straight game. This came against a Maple Leafs team that has struggled in the Northeast Division this season, but that won't bother Petr Prucha (two goals) or Jaromir jagr (one goal,......

Devils 2 Sabres 1 (Shootout): The Devils won their third-straight game by continuing their stifling defense and throwing a lot of shots on goal. It took awhile, but Mike Mottau scored with seven minutes left in the third to tie the game and Zach Parise scored the only goal of the shootout for the win. New Jersey’s win extends their Atlantic Division lead over the idle Penguins and Rangers. Nets 109 Washington 106: The Nets......

Nets 100, Warriors 95: With three minutes to go in this game, the Izod Center sounded like a morgue, and the Nets appeared on their way to a disheartening loss. A 14-point lead had turned into a one-point deficit. Careless passes led to easy Warriors baskets. But the Nets win consecutive games around major holidays -- remember that winning streak over Thanksgiving? Because of that, the Warriors wouldn't score again. Or maybe it was......

Nets 107, Heat 103: Udonnis Haslem forced overtime with an off-balance shot at the end of regulation, but the Nets shook it off. The overtime wasn't pretty, but it's the results that count. Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter had their moments in the son, but Malik Allen had 18 points (on 9-of-11 shooting) and tormented the team with which he started his NBA career. At last place in the NBA's Eastern Conference, Miami isn't the......

Knicks 94 Nets 86: Stop the presses, the Knicks have a winning streak against the Nets and this win came with Jason Kidd in the lineup. Saturday night went so well that the crowd never had to unleash the “fire Isiah” chants or anything else directed towards the Knicks’ management. Jamal Crawford led the way with 32 points and Zach Randolph added 20. Even Eddy Curry looked interested with 23 points and 9 rebounds,......

Nets 105, Cavaliers 97: Maybe the Nets should wear their road uniforms at home more often. The Nets' last win before Friday came at Cleveland, but that was when the Cavs didn't have LeBron James. Cleveland had its star on the court at Izod Arena, but the Nets had theirs, too. Vince Carter had 32 -- tying a season high -- and James "settled" for 29. Josh Boone put in 15 for New Jersey, though......

Rangers 1 Devils 0 Overtime: This was one the Rangers needed to win and it showed. From the start of the game they played a smart, defensive style that gave New Jersey very few chances. It worked to perfection as the Devils only got 17 shots during the entire game, but the problem was the Rangers couldn’t score. Time and again Martin Brodeur stopped them and when the game went to overtime, it appeared likely......

Knicks 100, Nets 93: No Stephon Marbury, and the Knicks take down the Nets. Of course, the Nets didn't have Jason Kidd (headache), so who knows which team was worse off. Richard Jefferson's heroics couldn't get the job done for the Nets, who continue to play inexplicably poorly at home following road games. Jamal Crawford filled the backcourt "void" for the Knicks with 29 points, and Zach Randolph had 25. Richard Jefferson had 31 points......

Suns 115, Knicks 104: The Knicks need wins, yes, but they also need solid efforts against the league's elite teams. They got the latter but not the former Sunday in a loss to Phoenix at home. Eddy Curry's 21 points and an awakening from a recent slump couldn't power the Knicks, who stuck around for three quarters before disappearing in the fourth. Even Stephon Marbury enjoyed an efficient night from the floor -- he shot......

Rangers 5 Ottawa 2: The Senators may be in a funk of late, but they still have the best record in the Eastern Conference. That may not last for too much longer as the Rangers beat Ottawa soundly Saturday afternoon, scoring three goals in the first period and forcing a goaltending change. Everything seemed to work for New York as the power play scored twice, Brendan Shanahan had two goals and Blair Betts even got......