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| ALL FOR THE BALL: Dallas Mavericks guard Rodrigue Beaubois (L) beats Los Angeles Lakers forward Josh McRoberts to a loose ball during the second half of their NBA basketball game in Dallas, Texas |
Jeremy Lin scored 16 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, including eight free throws in the final 63 seconds Wednesday night, and the surging Knicks improved to 5-0 under interim head coach Mike Woodson, with an 82-79 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
“It was an ugly win but sometimes it has to be like that,” said Lin, who hit a nightmarish 4-of-17 floor shots. “Today was a horrible game on my part but my teammates bailed me out.”
Amar’e Stoudemire netted a game-high 21 points while Carmelo Anthony finished with just 10 for the Knicks (23-24), who moved three games of the Atlantic Division-leading Sixers with 19 left.
“Some days you have to win ugly games and this is one of them,” Anthony said. “I’m glad we pulled off this big road win. Our goal is to win our division and this is one step closer.”
The Knicks’ confidence is brimming since Woodson replaced Mike D’Antoni last week.
“I honestly believe they think that they can win every game now that they step out on the floor,” Woodson said.
“I got to keep pushing my staff for them to continue to play at this level.”
Jrue Holiday scored 16 points while Elton Brand had 12 points with 12 rebounds for the Sixers, who played from behind most of the night after opening 0-14, en route to their fourth loss in five games.
“We can’t start off like that,” Brand said. “We were right in the game, but we spent a lot of energy getting back into the game.” Despite their miserable 11-point first quarter, the Sixers chipped away and caught the Knicks at 63-apiece on a three-pointer by Lou Williams midway through the final frame.
But the Knicks responded with an 8-0 run. Stoudemire threw down a dunk and a jumper. Lin added a short jumper and two free throws that made it 71-63 with six minutes left.
The Sixers closed to within 73-71 with three minutes five seconds left after Andre Iguodala hit a three-pointer and free throw. But JR Smith split a pair of free throws and Lin blocked Jodie Meeks’ shot. Brand, however, rejected Lin’s drive, leading to a fast-break layup attempt that Iguodala blew.
Lin made two free throws, giving the Knicks a 76-71 advantage with 63 seconds left and added six more to salt away the win.
“It was a big situation for us,” Stoudemire said. “We needed a win and this was very important to keep our momentum going.” Elsewhere: Oklahoma City Thunder 114, LA Clippers 91: Kevin Durant scored 32 points, Russell Westbrook added 19 and the Western Conference-leading Thunder blew out the visiting Clippers after holding All-Star Blake Griffin to a career-low seven points in his hometown.