Loss Record Averted in Brown’s Return

Larry Brown returned from a stomach ailment to coach the Knicks on Wednesday night in the final game of a dismal first season in New York.

The Knicks responded by avoiding their first 60-loss season with a 90-83 victory over the New Jersey Nets at East Rutherford, N.J.

Brown did not speak to the media before or after the game. He was ushered out of the arena by security personnel and members of the Knicks’ public relations staff.

“It’s a good thing, now he’s back and he’s healthy,” Knick guard Nate Robinson said.

Brown let assistant Herb Williams handle most of the coaching duties during the game. Brown did offer advice at times.

Williams said team doctors advised Brown not to stand too much for fear it would aggravate his acid reflux problem.

“He seemed all right to me, but he was sitting down for the most part,” Williams said.

Brown’s status for the game was not revealed until just before tipoff. About 90 minutes before the game, Williams said he didn’t know whether he or Brown would coach the team, which ended a five-game losing streak and won for only the fourth time in 18 games.

The 59 losses, however, tied a Knicks’ season record, the last time in 1985-86. Brown’s worst season as an NBA coach came in 1988-89, when the San Antonio Spurs posted a 21-61 record.

Indiana 89, Orlando 83 -- Jermaine O’Neal had 24 points, 13 rebounds and six blocked shots at Indianapolis to help the Pacers claim the No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Chicago 127, Toronto 106 -- Ben Gordon scored 24 points at Chicago to help the Bulls win for the 12th time in their final 14 games and clinch the seventh seeding in the East playoffs.

San Antonio 89, Houston 87 -- With Tim Duncan and Tony Parker resting, Brent Barry scored 19 points to help the visiting Spurs break the franchise record for victories with 63.

San Antonio (63-19) topped the 1994-95 team, which finished 62-20.

Phoenix 106, Portland 96 -- Tuning up for the playoffs, Steve Nash had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists to help send the Trail Blazers to an NBA-worst 21-61 record.

Cleveland 100, Atlanta 99 -- With LeBron James sitting it out, Flip Murray scored 19 points at Cleveland to help the Cavaliers earn their first 50-win season since 1992-93.

Boston 85, Miami 78 -- The Celtics averted a sweep of the four-game season series in beating the visiting Heat, which again played without Coach Pat Riley, Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade.

Riley is visiting his ailing mother.

Washington 96, Detroit 80 -- Caron Butler had 33 points and 12 rebounds to help the visiting Wizards clinch the fifth seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs against a Piston team that mostly rested its starters.

Seattle 109, Denver 98 -- Ray Allen broke the NBA record for three-pointers in a season, finishing with 269, in a victory at Seattle to erase Dennis Scott’s mark of 267 set in the 1995-96 season for Orlando.

Charlotte 96, Philadelphia 86 -- Matt Carroll scored 24 points at Charlotte, N.C., to help the Hornets close the regular-season with their fourth straight victory.

Memphis 102, Minnesota 92 -- Brian Cardinal scored nine of his 18 points in the second overtime to lead the Grizzlies at Minneapolis.

Utah 105, Golden State 102 -- The Jazz (41-41) avoided consecutive sub-.500 seasons with a victory at Salt Lake City.