Carmelo Anthony scored 39 points, his best effort since coming to New York, as the host Knicks pulled out a 113-106 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic yesterday to snap a six-game losing streak.
Hours after saying the game was "almost a must win" for the Knicks, Anthony added 10 rebounds, and the Knicks got some help when Dwight Howard fouled out in the extra session, then picked up his NBA-leading 17th technical foul.
Amare Stoudemire had 20 points for the Knicks, who won for just the second time in 11 games and inched closer to their first playoff berth since 2004.
Howard rebounded from a quiet first half to finish with 29 points and 18 rebounds.
76ers 97, Bulls 85
At Chicago, Thaddeus Young scored 21 points as Philadelphia built a 23-point lead and held on to beat Chicago and end a 14-game home winning streak.
Chicago, losing for only the second time in its last 14 games overall, got 31 points from Derrick Rose, who also had 10 turnovers. The Bulls still own the best record in the East, leading by two games over the Celtics and Heat. Boston lost to Indiana on Monday night and Miami was idle.
Andre Iguodala added 19 points and seven assists for the 76ers.
Carlos Boozer scored 15 points for the Bulls, and Joakim Noah had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Bobcats 87, Bucks 86
At Charlotte, North Carolina, Gerald Henderson scored the final seven points, including the go-ahead jumper with 22 seconds left, as Charlotte staged an unlikely comeback to beat the mistake-prone Milwaukee.
Starting with no available centers before losing their top two point guards to injuries, the Bobcats remained in playoff contention after Brandon Jennings missed two layups and a 3-pointer in the final 15 seconds that would have put the Bucks ahead.
Stephen Jackson scored 18 points for the Bobcats, who held Milwaukee scoreless over the final 3:52.
Jennings and Andrew Bogut had 26 points apiece for the Bucks.
Pacers 107, Celtics 100
At Indianapolis, Roy Hibbert scored 26 points as Indiana beat Boston to remain in sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Boston point guard Rajon Rondo started after missing Sunday's game against Minnesota with a jammed finger on his right hand. Coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Rondo would not play, but Rondo scored 10 points in the first 5:10 and finished with 22 points and eight assists.
Paul Pierce led Boston with 23 points, and Glen Davis added 20 for the Celtics, who are fading in their quest to catch Chicago for the best record in the East.
Trail Blazers 100, Spurs 92
At San Antonio, Andre Miller scored 26 points as Portland beat San Antonio whiles Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan sat out with injuries.
The Blazers beat the NBA's most successful team for the second time in three days, this time with four San Antonio starters sidelined. Gerald Wallace added 14 points for Portland and hit a crucial 3-pointer with 2:02 left, finishing a quick 7-0 burst that put the Blazers ahead.
George Hill had 27 points for the Spurs, who have lost four in row, their longest slide this season.
Wizards 100, Jazz 95, OT
At Salt Lake City, rookie John Wall scored 28 points, and Jordan Crawford hit a key shot at the end of regulation and then made two steals in overtime to lead Washington to only its second road win.
Crawford finished with 25 points, including eight in the fourth quarter and the tying shot with 4.4 seconds left in regulation. Maurice Evans scored seven of his 12 points in overtime for the Wizards, who were without five players because of injury.
C.J. Miles led the Jazz with 17 points but he made only 3 of 12 from 3-point range.