Trail Blazers Go Overtime to Defeat Knicks, 107-104

Clyde Drexler and Kiki Vandeweghe hit key baskets in the final minutes Sunday night as the Portland Trail Blazers edged the New York Knicks 107-104 in overtime for their fourth straight NBA victory.

The Knicks appeared headed for their second victory in three games under new Coach Bob Hill.

But, with New York leading 93-92 with 16 seconds left in regulation, the Knicks’ Gerald Wilkins missed two free throws.

Drexler, who led all scorers with 26 points, sank an 18-footer and was fouled with eight seconds to play. He made the free throw to give Portland a 95-93 lead.

The Knicks came back to force the overtime on Gerald Henderson’s 16-foot jumper at the buzzer.

Vandeweghe, who scored 23 points despite one of his worst shooting nights of the season, scored six points in the overtime, including four free throws as Portland pulled away.

Patrick Ewing had a chance to tie the score with 25 seconds remaining but missed one of two free throws. Drexler followed with two free throws with 12 seconds to play to provide the final margin.

New York’s Trent Tucker missed a pair of three-point tries in the final seconds.

The game was close throughout with 20 ties and 19 lead changes.

Bill Cartwright scored 25 points to lead the Knicks, while Wilkins added 18 and Ewing, who played only five minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, added 17.