13 Straight: Blessing or Fools Gold? The red-hot Knicks have won 13 straight behind some amazing scoring performances by Carmelo Anthony. They have stepped up their defensive intensity by allowing just 93 points per game in their last ten games. The Knicks are shooting the 3-ball at an exceptionally high clip which can be a good thing or a bad thing.     The positives, first and foremost are that the Knicks have re-discovered the key to their early season winning streak. Those keys are playing hard defense and taking good care of the ball. Unlike shooting the long ball, those things should be there everytime the Knicks take the floor. Another positive to take is that during this winning streak the Knicks have beaten some very good teams who are bound for the playoffs such as Miami (minus Lebron and Wade), Oklahoma City, Boston twice, and Memphis. These types of wins are ones that players remember to give them confidence come playoff time.     Lastly this long winning streak assured the Knicks 2 things that will aid them come playoff time. They clinched the Atlantic Division for the first time since 1994, which assured them home-court advantage for the 1st round of the playoffs. They also distanced themselves from Indiana for the 2 seed which would give them home-court for the second round as well, which would be a huge advantage should they meet the Pacers.     Are the Knicks peaking too early? They might be, and the 3-point shot can betray you at the times you need it most. The Knicks have made this run without the services of Amar’e Stoudemire, who is due back around playoff time. They have a good thing going right now and incorporating STAT back into the rotation will be a tough challenge. The Knicks may have turned the corner and found the right formula, but the law of averages says that you have to cool off at some point. The winning streak is nice, and seeing Carmelo go off is as fun to watch as anything, but you cant help but think Durant and LeBron are onto something when they opt for the rest. Knicks winning streak is helpful now, but will it hurt them in the long run?

Dougie