The Closer: Lin and Davis Help Each Other February 29, 2012, 11:59 pm When your team's starting point guard and rising star is a relatively small player, has never played a huge amount of minutes and relies on being able to get to the basket to score, it is a good idea to have a solid backup. If that backup is a former No. 3 overall pick who has played in two All-Star Games, then you're in business. That is the situation the Knicks find themselves in. Jeremy Lin has been a revelation, but the abuse he is taking on a game-by-game basis has been brutal. To help him succeed, the Knicks will need to get him some rest, even in close games. The perfect solution is Baron Davis, a gifted passer and defender who in short spells gives the Knicks almost no drop-off at the position. In Wednesday's win over the Cavaliers, Lin and Davis combined for 21 assists. But the more important thing was the split of 33 minutes for Lin and 15 for Davis. Over the first 10 games of Lin's run, he played less than 35 minutes just once. With Davis running at close to full speed, Lin has now recorded three consecutive games of less than 35. The situation is also beneficial to Davis, who has chronic back problems and probably could not handle being a 30-minute-a-night player at this point in his career. Better yet, Davis seems to be enjoying things. In the coming weeks, as the frequently grumpy Davis plays himself into shape, the Knicks will have to hope that he continues to enjoy sitting in the back seat while Lin drives the currently playoff-bound team.