NBA ROUNDUP : Knicks Fight Back, Beat Pistons

After losing in the closing seconds at home Sunday, the New York Knicks realized Tuesday night’s game at Auburn Hills, Mich., against the Detroit Pistons was one New York had to win.

The Knicks also knew their hopes of winning the third game of the tied best-of-five series depended on their big man--Patrick Ewing. Once again the Pistons double- and triple-teamed the 7-foot-1 center and dared someone else to beat them.

Ewing led the Knicks to a 90-87 overtime victory and a 2-1 lead in the series.

Ewing, who had 13 rebounds, scored 12 of his 32 points during the fourth quarter to get the Knicks even, and four more during the extra period to help them win it.

Despite his performance, the Knicks almost blew it in the final seconds of overtime.

A one-hander in the lane by Isiah Thomas had won Sunday’s game with fewer than eight seconds remaining. History appeared about to repeat itself in overtime. A wild inbounds pass by Charles Oakley gave the Pistons, trailing by 88-87, the ball with 13 seconds left.

They tried to set up Thomas, who was only three for 12, for another game-winning basket. This time Mark Jackson stepped in front of Thomas to intercept Joe Dumars’ pass. Jackson was fouled intentionally by Thomas and made the two free throws to seal the victory.

Coach Pat Riley of the Knicks had blamed his team’s slump that cost them first place in the Atlantic Division on a lack of toughness.

But the Knicks were ready to do the intimidating in this one. With the game three minutes old, Oakley slammed Dennis Rodman to the floor with an elbow to the face. Both teams appeared ready for a brawl, but no punches were thrown. When order was restored, referee Joe Crawford warned both benches to stop the rough play and assessed technical fouls against Ewing and Orlando Woolridge.

The Pistons have won five consecutive first-round series, but they will have to win at home Friday night and in New York Sunday to add to that streak.

“I got off to a slow start scoring,” Ewing said, “but I was doing other things. I was rebounding, blocking shots. They gave me two blocks. I thought I had seven.”

“It was joyful, painful, exhilarating, and I’m glad it went our way,” Riley said.

New Jersey 109, Cleveland 104--The Nets, who had not won a playoff game in eight years, were on the verge of another loss at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Cavaliers, after winning the first two games of the series, took a 92-82 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

But Derrick Coleman and Drazen Petrovic mounted a desperate rally, and the Nets kept their slim hopes alive. The Cavaliers, who haven’t won a series since 1976, can wrap this one up with a victory Thursday night at home.

Coleman had eight points and Petrovic nine during a 27-12 closing rush that saved the Nets, at least for the time being.

Coleman’s short jump shot with a bit more than two minutes remaining gave the Nets the lead for good, 101-99.

The Cavaliers continued to spend much more time at the free-throw line than the Nets. They had a 27-6 margin in this game and for the three games lead from the line, 94-38.

The Cavaliers made only four field goals during the fourth quarter, but stayed close with free throws.

Seattle 129, Golden State 128--Shawn Kemp sank two free throws with six seconds remaining at Seattle to give the SuperSonics a 2-1 lead and a chance to win the series at home Thursday night.

The Warriors, trailing by 106-99 with eight minutes remaining, rallied and took the lead, 128-127, when Billy Owens made a spinning layup with 7.5 seconds remaining.

After Kemp, who had 22 points, sank the clutch free throws, the Warriors had one more chance to win. But Sarunas Marciulionis’ desperation shot fell short at the buzzer.

Marciulionis led the Warriors with 27 points, the same as Seattle’s Derrick McKey.