There was a sense of vindication, but more a sense of relief for the New York Knicks.

In last spring's opening-round playoff series, the Knicks were beaten at home by the Raptors in the decisive Game 5.

In the first game since that loss, the Knicks held court and taught the Raptors a lesson in ball movement, shooting and defensive intensity that exposed many of Toronto's flaws.

The tone to New York's 102-94 win was set early when Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston began to impose their will.

When the Knicks took the ball out of Vince Carter's hands, the Raptors were suddenly staring at a 20-point deficit.

Even though the Raptors came back in the second half and made it a one-point game with five minutes left, the Knicks made all the key plays down the stretch.