Just when the New York Knicks could use a patsy to regain their shaky footing, instead they welcome the Eastern Conference's best team Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
The Toronto Raptors bring their sterling 48-17 record to town.
There may not be a starker display of the NBA's haves and have-nots than at MSG, where the Knicks have played just six times since Jan. 21.
Since then, New York has three wins and 17 losses. Before that, the Knicks were 21-25 and at least still plucky. Now they've clinched, at 24-42, their fifth straight losing season.