Knicks Get All Defensive in Second Straight Victory

Jamal Crawford scored 20 points, and the New York Knicks held Utah scoreless for almost 9 1/2 minutes in the third quarter while pulling ahead for their second straight victory, 73-62, over the Jazz on Monday night at Salt Lake City after opening the season with five losses.

The Knicks set a team record for fewest points given up in the shot-clock era by holding the Jazz to 29.3% shooting (27 of (75), the worst in team history. Utah made two of 18 shots in the third quarter, and owner Larry Miller was so upset that he spent the fourth quarter standing next to the Jazz bench.

New York’s previous record was 63 points given up to the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 21, 1999.

“We don’t have a choice,” forward Antonio Davis said about Brown’s emphasis on defense. “Larry won’t let you play if you don’t work on D.”

Injuries also hurt Utah, which had only 11 physically sound players. Rookie Deron Williams had 18 points and five assists for Utah, which most notably was missing Andrei Kirilenko (ankle).

Golden State 100, Chicago 82 -- Jason Richardson scored a season-high 32 points, and the Warriors easily kept the Bulls winless at Oakland since January 1998.

Andres Nocioni had 17 points for Chicago, whose starting backcourt combined for three-for-21 shooting.