Seattle (5-17) at New York (6-14)

When: 4:30 p.m., Madison Square Garden, New York

TV: FSN. Radio: 770-AM

Series: Seattle split the series with the Knicks, losing at home (111-93) and winning in New York (100-99).

Scouting the Knicks: The Knicks have lost three in a row, and five of their past seven games. New York’s struggles are no surprise, given the controversy off the court surrounding the team. Knicks fans have started to chant “Fire, Isaiah”, in regards to embattled head coach and general manager Isiah Thomas.

Seattle native and Rainier Beach High graduates Jamal Crawford (17.5 point and 4.5 assists a game) and Nate Robinson (8.5 points and 1.7 assists a contest) are healthy and should play for the Knicks tonight.

The Knicks are trying to avoid their fourth straight loss tonight.

I was unable to talk to either Robinson or Crawford during the pre-game media session, but I did talk to New York assistant coach Herb Williams about the two, and here’s what he had to say about the two Seattle natives.

Scouting the Sonics: Delonte West and Robert Swift will be inactive again today. Seattle faces a pretty big team inside in the Knicks with Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph, David Lee and Randolph Morris, so rebounding will be a key for Seattle tonight, particularly on the defensive end.

And Seattle will have to bring a much stronger defensive effort tonight than they did against the Bulls on Tuesday. Allowing dribble penetration again came back to haunt the Sonics, so it will be important to keep Knick guard Jamal Crawford. Oregon product Fred Jones should play a lot if Stephon Marbury can’t go tonight. Marbury missed the last game to mourn the passing of his father.

Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo returns back to the place of his youth. Carlesimo grew up attending games at Madison Square Garden and talked about what it means to be back at the Garden.

Next: Friday at Minnesota, 5 p.m., Target Center