Knicks End Losing Streak at 8
New York 99, Milwaukee 98
New York Knicks' David Lee (42) reacts as he slam dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
(Morry Gash - AP)
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Sunday, February 10, 2008; 1:38 AM
MILWAUKEE -- Jamal Crawford scored 30 points, Fred Jones added 18, and the New York Knicks overcame a 17-point, third-quarter deficit to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 99-98 Saturday night and break an eight-game losing streak.
David Lee added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks, who had matched their longest skid of the season with an overtime loss to San Antonio on Friday.
Charlie Villanueva and Michael Redd led the Bucks with 21 points apiece as Milwaukee lost for the fifth time in the last six games. Redd returned to the lineup after missing the last six games with a left knee strain.
Crawford tied it at 93 with 3:45 remaining, hitting a 3-pointer as he fell down. Malik Rose's follow shot with 2:35 to go gave the Knicks a 97-96 lead. After Andrew Bogut was called for an offensive foul, his sixth foul of the game, Rose hit a 19-foot jumper with 1:50 left to extend the lead to 99-96.
Charlie Bell then stole the ball from Crawford and scored on a layup with 31 seconds remaining to cut the lead to 99-98. Crawford missed a running jumper with 7 seconds remaining and Villanueva dived on the floor to get the rebound.
After a timeout, Bobby Simmons inbounded the ball to Bell, who drove to the basket and passed to Michael Ruffin, who missed a wild shot at the buzzer.
The Bucks broke open a close game in the third quarter with a 23-4 run, grabbing an 81-64 lead with 2:50 remaining when Villanueva hit a jumper. Villanueva and Desmond Mason each had eight points during the run.
The Knicks responded with a 15-0 spurt at the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth, cutting the lead to 81-79 on Crawford's 19-foot jumper with 10:34 left.
The teams battled back and forth during the first half, with the biggest lead being by four when Bell hit a jumper with 5:02 remaining in the second quarter to give the Bucks a 42-38 advantage. The Bucks led 50-48 at halftime after Mason hit two free throws with 3.6 seconds left.
Notes:@ The New York Post reported Saturday that Knicks guard Stephon Marbury would be out for the season following ankle surgery, but coach Isiah Thomas said he hoped that wouldn't be the case. "We still hope that it's indefinite. We haven't given up on him for the season yet," Thomas said. "Hopefully we'll have him back." ... Redd's 21 points gave him 9,904 during his eight seasons with the Bucks, passing Junior Bridgeman for sixth place on the team's career scoring list. Bridgeman, who was at the game to be honored at halftime as part of the Bucks' 40th anniversary celebration, scored 9,892 points in 10 seasons. ... Knicks guard Quentin Richardson returned to the starting lineup after missing the last two games with a sprained ankle.
