NBA

Knicks keep clawing into contention

By wire services
Published March 9, 2005

NEW YORK - The Knicks improved to 5-1 since the trade deadline, getting 19 points from Jamal Crawford and solid contributions from several players to defeat the Washington Wizards 93-83 Tuesday night.

Crawford also had six assists and six rebounds. Kurt Thomas added 15 points, 11 rebounds and four assists and Stephon Marbury had 14 points, 10 assists and four rebounds.

New York won at home for the seventh straight time and made up a game on Philadelphia in its quest to get back into the East playoff picture. At 26-34, the Knicks are the closest they've been to .500 since Jan. 31.

For the second straight game, the Knicks got the job done with a big second-half run. Two days after they had a 21-1 spurt in a win over Golden State, the Knicks used a 15-0 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to take control.

The Wizards, led by Larry Hughes' 27 points and Gilbert Arenas' 23, were without all-star Antawn Jamison for the first time all season. Jamison, who had played in 386 straight games, has tendinitis in his right knee.

The Knicks held Washington scoreless for nearly eight minutes over the final two quarters, using their big run to stretch a 64-63 lead to 79-63. Crawford started the run with a 3-pointer, and Thomas added eight points on four outside jumpers.

Washington came back with a 9-0 run to pull within seven, but Maurice Taylor hit a 4-footer and came up with a steal to start an 8-1 run that wrapped up the win.

KINGS 85, GRIZZLIES 82: Mike Bibby's long 3-pointer as time expired was upheld on a controversial video review, and Sacramento held on.

Peja Stojakovic's inbounds pass with 1.4 seconds left was tipped by James Posey, but the clock didn't start until Bibby grabbed the ball, turned and hit an amazing 3-pointer from several feet behind the line.

While the sellout crowd erupted and the Kings fled the court, Memphis players pointed out the tardy clock. But after a lengthy review, the officials decided they couldn't change what happened, and the basket stood in the Kings' 14th consecutive home victory over the Grizzlies.

SPURS 90, NETS 74: Tim Duncan made a quick return to the lineup after leaving his last game with an injury, getting 19 points and eight rebounds to lead host San Antonio. Reserve guard Devin Brown had a 22 points for the Spurs, who expected Duncan to miss this game after he left Sunday's win against Utah with a sprained right ankle less than four minutes into the second half.

ROCKETS 97, SONICS 95: Former Magic star Tracy McGrady had 35 points and Yao Ming added 16 of his 22 in the second half for visiting Houston, which outscored Seattle 22-6 in the third quarter, the fewest points the Rockets have allowed or the SuperSonics have scored in a quarter.

WARRIORS 104, 76ERS 85: Jason Richardson scored 22 and Mike Dunleavy 21 to lead Golden State to its eighth road win of the season.

WOLVES 102, BOBCATS 97: Kevin Garnett scored 22 of his 30 in the second half, and host Minnesota shook off a sluggish first half to win its third in a row and fourth in five games.

PACERS 89, JAZZ 83: Stephen Jackson scored 30 and Indiana rallied after blowing a 25-point lead. Reggie Miller finished with 24 points in his final game at Utah.

BUCKS 105, HAWKS 101: Mo Williams had 22 points and 10 assists and Desmond Mason also scored 22 to lead Milwaukee. Atlanta has lost 22 straight road games.

HAWKS: Center Kevin Willis, 42, went on the injured list with a lower back strain. Rookie guard Donta Smith was activated.

JAZZ: Center Jarron Collins went on the injured list with a sprained right shoulder.

[Last modified March 9, 2005, 01:16:02]