D.J. Kennedy and New York Knicks rookie 7-footer Jerome Jordan each had 19 points to lead the Erie BayHawks to an 108-95 Game 1 win against the third-seeded Austin Toros on Thursday night at Tullio Arena.

It was the first-ever home playoff win for the BayHawks, who have made the playoffs in three of their four D-League seasons.

A fifth seed in this year’s playoffs, Erie scored 37 bench points in taking an 1-0 series in this best-of-3 series. Game 2 is Sunday in Austin.

Game 3, if necessary, will also be in Austin on Monday.

The fifth-seeded Erie BayHawks (28-22) should have their hands full for their best-of-3 D-League playoff series against the third-seeded Austin Toros (33-17) that begins with Thursday’s Game 1 at Tullio Arena.

After Wednesday’s practice, I caught up with Erie coach Jay Larranaga, New York Knicks rookie Jerome Jordan, Kyle Goldcamp and D.J. Kennedy and asked them about this series.

A key matchup will be Jordan against Austin big man Eric Dawson, who is second in the D-League in double-doubles with 23.

With the New York Knicks having their share of injures, particularly to big men Amare Stoudemire and Jared  Jeffries, the Erie BayHawks aren’t expecting their NBA hybrid affiliate to send down 7-footer Jerome Jordan for a third time.

“You have to understand as an D-League organization and coaches that the NBA parent club is the most important thing,” Erie coach Jay Larranaga said.  “What is best for the Knicks is what will be done. If that means Jerome coming down, then we’ll do that. If that means Jerome being ready to help them, then we’ll do that. It’s out of my hands. Our hands. We’re here to help the Knicks get the most out of their investment in the BayHawks.”

Stoudemire is expected to miss two to four weeks with a back injury and Jeffries will likely be out at least another week with a knee injury.

Jordan averaged 18 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in five games with the BayHawks. Erie went 4-1 with Jordan. A rookie out of Tulsa, Jordan, 25, has averaged 1.5 points in 18 games with the Knicks this season.

Marvin Phillips is averaging 4.6 points in 17 games with Erie after averaging 11 in 12 games with Fort Wayne this season./Photo by Janet B. Krummerer/Erie Times-News

With two players injured, the Erie BayHawks used eight in today’s 106-81 win against Maine. Six of them scored in double figures.

Marvin Phillips is the exception to all this.

He was healthy, but didn’t play.

Why?

“Ask coach,” Phillips said after the game.

I did.

“Marvin?” Erie coach Larranaga said.

Twelve seconds later.

“I asked Marvin if he wanted to go in and he said no,” Larranaga said. “It was in the fourth quarter and it was about six minutes to go.”

Erie led 102-72 with six minutes left in the game.

Since coming to Erie from Fort Wayne in a trade for a fourth-round pick in the 2012 D-League Draft, Phillips hasn’t played in four games. Word is he wasn’t thrilled with not playing when returning to Fort Wayne for a road game against the Mad Ants on Feb. 16.

So this is nothing new.

The question is with the BayHawks being down a big man with Sharrod Ford (calf), why wouldn’t Phillips get a shot.

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After splitting a pair of games at Maine against the Red Claws (8-16), the Erie BayHawks (10-13) will resume action Friday at home against Sioux Falls (7-17).

Erie won the first game at Maine, 122-113, as point guard Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks had a triple double of 28 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. The Knicks sent him and rookie center Jerome Jordan down for the two games. Jordan had 26 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Maine won the rematch, 110-88, on Sunday as Lin didn’t play due to injuring his ankle in Friday’s win for the BayHawks. Jordan had just 10 points and seven boards. The Red Claws had waived former NBA player Ricky Davis. He didn’t play in either game.

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The Erie BayHawks have a temporary replacement for 7-footer Chris Daniels.

Earlier today, the D-League announced the New York Knicks have sent down 7-footer Jerome Jordan to play for the BayHawks. Jordan, who is in his rookie season with the Knicks after being taken in the second round (44th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Knicks got Jordan in a trade with the Bucks for cash considerations. Out of Tulsa, Jordan is averaging 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in six games with the Knicks. He’s expected to practice with the BayHawks on Wednesday before they play at Maine on Friday and Sunday.

As a senior in college, Jordan averaged 15.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.34 blocks in 35 games. Now if he can get close to those numbers in the D-League, that would be around Daniels provided the BayHawks.

Daniels averaged 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.14 blocks in 14 games for Erie before leaving the team Monday to go play in South Korea.