Knicks Stop Duncan and Beat Spurs, 86-83

Larry Johnson and the New York Knicks failed to stop Tim Duncan in the 1999 NBA Finals, and they lost.

They weren’t going to make that mistake again.

The Knicks double-teamed Duncan, giving Johnson some help on defense, as they surged back from a 14-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs, 86-83, Thursday night, handing them their first home loss of the season.

Duncan missed four jump shots after New York took its first lead of the game with 9:09 left in the fourth quarter on two free throws by Chris Childs.

Derek Anderson missed three three-point shots in the final 2:37, including two in the last 12 seconds.

New York’s defense--rated No. 1 in the league--held the Spurs to 40.9% shooting.

“They are a good defensive team,” Duncan said. “They always have been and they always will be.

“But it comes down to getting it done. They did and we didn’t,” he said. “They [the Spurs] are giving me the ball and asking me to do it. I’m not hitting them down the stretch. That responsibility falls on me.”

Duncan, who played all but two minutes of the game, finished with a game-high 28 points despite going eight of 14 from the foul line. Anderson had 15 on four-of-11 shooting, while David Robinson was three of 15 for 11 points.

Orlando 103, Denver 93--The Magic took advantage of the Nuggets’ poor shooting in the fourth quarter at Orlando (one of 18) to extend its winning streak to four games.

Tracy McGrady scored 36 points for Orlando on 15-of-31 shooting, surpassing 30 points for the fifth time this season.

Antonio McDyess led Denver with 28 points and 12 rebounds. The Nuggets shot 40%, but made only two of 15 three-point attempts.

Utah 98, Vancouver 87--The Jazz continued its mastery of the Grizzlies as Bryon Russell scored eight points in the fourth quarter at Salt Lake City to help Utah break open a close game and cruise to its eighth win in nine games. Utah has a 19-1 record against the Grizzlies.

Phoenix 104, Milwaukee 96--Jason Kidd’s jump shot with 25 seconds left at Milwaukee clinched the victory for the Suns. Cliff Robinson scored 35 points and Rodney Rogers 25 for Phoenix.

Kidd scored on a layup to give Phoenix a 91-89 lead--the Suns’ first since the first quarter--with 5:24 left. He was fouled by Ray Allen in the process and added the free throw for a three-point lead. He added a three-point basket with 4:40 left to give Phoenix a 95-89 lead.

Minnesota 105, Washington 85--The Timberwolves put the game away in the third quarter at Minneapolis.

Terrell Brandon scored 14 points, making five of seven baskets and four free throws as Minnesota took an 80-66 lead into the fourth quarter.

Washington, which lost its sixth in a row, never got closer than 14 the rest of the way.

Around the League

Coach Paul Silas of the Charlotte Hornets was fined $5,000 by the NBA for flashing an obscene gesture at a referee. Silas was ejected in the second quarter of Wednesday night’s game against Indiana, and as he left the court, gestured toward referee Jim Kinsey. “I lost if for a moment,” Silas said. “I’m not proud of what happened and am sorry if I offended anyone. Hopefully it won’t happen again.”. . . . The Boston Celtics released Doug Overton, recovering from a sprained right ankle suffered Nov. 26 against Vancouver, and signed Milt Palacio to take his place.