NBA ROUNDUP : Starks’ Shot Gives the Knicks Something Extra

John Starks of the New York Knicks had missed nine of his previous 10 shots, which made him a less likely choice to take a potential game-tying three-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But Starks forced overtime by making a three-point basket with 1.7 seconds left in regulation Sunday night, and the Knicks rallied to beat the Cavaliers, 115-107, at Richfield, Ohio.

Patrick Ewing scored 44 points for the Knicks, including the last four of overtime. Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason also had four each in the extra period.

“Patrick came out and set a good pick on (Danny) Ferry and gave me a chance to get to the baseline for the three,” said Starks, who never hesitated in spite of his poor shooting.

The Knicks’ defense took over in overtime, limiting the Cavaliers to one-of-nine shooting and holding them scoreless from the field during the final four minutes.

Oakley’s tip-in of a missed shot by Starks put the Knicks ahead for good at 109-107 with two minutes left. Mason then made a 15-foot shot, and Ewing sealed it with four free throws down the stretch.

Oakley had 19 points and 22 rebounds. Ewing made 17 of 24 shots, including eight of nine in the third quarter to bring the Knicks back from an 11-point deficit.

Brad Daugherty had 26 points for the Cavaliers.

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Phoenix 132, Sacramento 110--Kevin Johnson scored 32 points and had nine rebounds and 14 assists to lead the Suns at Phoenix.

Charles Barkley added 26 points and A.C. Green had 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Suns.

Mitch Richmond scored 25 points for the Kings, who fell behind by as many as 36 points.

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New Jersey 99, San Antonio 73--Derrick Coleman scored 29 points and Kenny Anderson added 19 at San Antonio as the Nets held the Spurs to their lowest offensive output in franchise history.

The Spurs’ eclipsed their record of 80 points that was set in 1990 against the Lakers.

Coleman also had 13 rebounds and Anderson had 10 assists to help the Nets win for only the second time in 23 games at San Antonio. The Nets’ other road victory against the Spurs came in 1980.

The Nets limited center David Robinson to nine points, five coming on free throws.

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Houston 106, Portland 92--Hakeem Olajuwon scored 29 points at Portland as the Rockets sent the Trail Blazers to an 0-2 start for the first time since 1986.

Cliff Robinson scored 25 points for the Trail Blazers, who made only 39% of their shots.