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 The Knicks (37-45), last season's Atlantic Division champions,
finished the season on a modest four-game winning streak but were
left out of the playoffs for the first time since the 2009-10
season.
Toronto (48-34), this season's Atlantic Division champs, sealed the
third spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs by going 6-2 in April.
The Raptors will enjoy home-court advantage to start the playoffs
for the third time in their history when they face the Brooklyn
Nets.
"The mindset was to make sure our guys didn't get hurt and get rest,
and we did that," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. "The guys coming
off the bench have to come in and execute."
Guard Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 22 points. He played just 11
minutes in the second half. Toronto's bench, led by guard Greivis
Vasquez's 13 points, scored 47 points — its second-highest output
of the season.
Smith finished the season strong after getting suspended for the
first five games for violating the league's anti-drug police. He
scored at least 30 points in three of New York's last six games.
Rookie guard Tim Hardaway Jr. was a bright spot in the Knicks'
dismal season, finishing in the top five among rookie scorers. He
tossed in 18 points Wednesday.
Smith took over the game down the stretch. His fall-away jumper with
21.8 seconds to play gave the Knicks a 94-90 lead. Smith's driving
dunk tied the game at 90-90 with 2:14 left, and a dunk on a follow
from center Cole Aldrich provided New York with a 92-90 cushion with
1:23 to go.
Center Tyler Hansbrough scored with 13 seconds left to draw Toronto
to within 94-92. Toronto got the ball back with four seconds to
play, but Smith stole the inbounds pass, was fouled and sank one of
two from the line to seal the win.
The Knicks were without three of their starters.
Forward Carmelo Anthony sat out the last two games with a right
labrum tear. He finished the season averaging 27.4 points and 8.1
rebounds in 38.7 minutes a game. This season marked the first time
in his 10-year career he failed to make the playoffs.
Aldrich made just his second start of the season at center for the
Knicks. He replaced Tyson Chandler, who along with point guard
Raymond Felton didn't dress for the game.
Aldrich scored 13 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for his third
double-double this season.
"It says a lot about our team," Smith said. "No matter who is
playing, we go out and play hard. When we play hard and when we play
smart we succeed, and that describes tonight."
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The Knicks took their first lead, 71-70, since midway through the
first quarter on Aldrich's basket with 1:23 left in the third
quarter. Hardaway, who scored eight points in the quarter, hit one
of two free throws with 10 seconds left for a 74-73 lead before
Hansbrough drained a free throw to tie it at 74-74 with one second
to go.
Lowry was on the bench when the Raptors started the second quarter
on an 18-6 run, extending their lead to 46-27 with 7:07 left until
halftime. Vasquez, Lowry's replacement, started the run by scoring
the first seven points.
Lowry scored 17 points in the first quarter, including all of
Toronto's final 12 points over 2:29 seconds, helping it to a 28-21
lead. He also contributed three rebounds and two assists.
Toronto shot a sizzling 64.7 percent in the first quarter, compared
to 26.1 percent for the Knicks.
Newly minted Knicks president Phil Jackson will have a busy
offseason. His agenda will include a decision on bringing back coach
Mike Woodson and convincing Anthony, a free agent this summer, that
the Knicks are capable of winning an NBA title with him in the near
future.
"We held ourselves to huge expectations and had big shoes to fill,"
Smith said. "Unfortunately we didn't fill them the way we wanted to.
"Hopefully we take that as motivation for next year."
NOTES: The Knicks signed 34-year-old F Lamar Odom before the game.
In 961 games during 14 seasons with four teams, Odom has averaged
13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He played two games for
Baskonia (Spain) this season and last played in the NBA for the
Clippers in 2012-13. Odom played for Knicks president Phil Jackson
for six seasons when he coached the Lakers. ... The Raptors lead the
Eastern Conference in free throws made and free throw percentage
going into the season finale. ... Toronto advanced to the playoffs
for the sixth time in its history and the first time since 2008.
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