Tough defense proving a winner for Knicks

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts during the first half of an NBA game against the Magic Monday at Madison Square Garden. Credit: AP/Kathy Willens

Surprise. Surprise. As the Knicks head on their longest road trip of the truncated season, they are in a much better position than anyone thought they would be.

The Knick (7-8) are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference as they open up play tonight at Golden State before going on to Sacramento, Portland and Utah. And a big reason for their early success is the almost retro-Nineties emphasis on defense.

Heading into Wednesday night’s play, the Knicks were allowing the fewest points per game with opponents scoring an average of 102.7 points per…