Knicks Still Too Big for Clippers

Larry Johnson and Charles Oakley led the undersized New York Knicks to an 81-70 victory over the undermanned Clippers Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

Johnson scored 21 points and Oakley had 17 as New York’s front court had a rare dominating game and the Knicks held the Clippers to a season low in points.

“It seemed like every time I looked up, Oakley got good looks [at the basket],” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said. “And he hits those shots when you’re giving up penetration and your big people are covering up for your small people.”

Part of the Clippers’ problem was that they were without leading scorer Rodney Rogers and backup forward Maurice Taylor--both suffered knee injuries Monday night at Indiana and are listed day to day.

Isaac Austin had 18 points to lead the Clippers, who committed 22 turnovers that the Knicks turned into 29 points.

After trailing 39-33 at halftime, the Clippers fought back to tie the score at 42-42. But the Knicks took a commanding lead by going on a 21-4 run, led by Oakley and Johnson.

Johnson started it with a put-back, small forward Allan Houston made a 14-footer and Oakley made two jumpers as the Knicks quickly opened an eight-point lead.

After a basket by the Clippers, Johnson made a layup off an alley-oop pass, a three-point basket, two free throws and a corner jumper as New York opened a 63-46 lead.

The Clippers were able to pull within 11 by the end of the third quarter, but New York started the fourth with a layup by John Starks, a fast-break dunk by Chris Mills and a three-point shot by Starks to take an 18-point lead.

Another late run by Clippers got the deficit into single digits, but the Knicks were never seriously threatened.

Said Knick Coach Jeff Van Gundy: “Our defense was better, and the competition level wasn’t that great.”