Ewing Erupts In Second Ot To Lead Knicks

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In the first overtime period, it was almost like Patrick Ewing wasn’t even on the court, even though he played the full 5 minutes.

Fortunately for the New York Knicks, that changed in the second extra period.

Ewing scored 10 of his season-high 34 points and had four of his season-high 25 rebounds in the second overtime Sunday as the Knicks outlasted the Los Angeles Lakers 127-121 for their 11th win in 13 games.

Ewing, who also blocked five shots, was coming off one of his most unproductive games of the year, a seven-point, nine-rebound effort in an 84-64 loss at Seattle on Friday night.

He was at his best against the Lakers, except in the first overtime, when he attempted just one shot, which he missed, and got one rebound.

“I was kind of frustrated,” Ewing said. “I told (coach) Jeff (Van Gundy) to get me the ball. We made the adjustment.”

Indeed, the Knicks did. Ewing made four of his five field goal attempts as well as two free throws - both completing three-point plays - in the second overtime as New York prevailed after blowing a 10-point lead in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter.

“It was definitely one for the memory bank,” said Knicks guard Allan Houston, who scored 29 points. “You just have to keep your poise, not think the game is over whether you’re ahead or behind.”

Michael Finley’s 3-pointer with 16 seconds left completed Dallas’ rally from 16 points down in the fourth quarter and gave the visiting Mavericks an 88-86 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Finley, traded to the Mavs earlier this season by the Suns, scored 20 points and newly acquired Shawn Bradley added 18 points and 10 rebounds for Dallas.

Erick Strickland had 13 points and seven assists for the Mavericks, who could dress only nine players. Dallas trailed 78-62 with 11:36 left before outscoring the Suns 26-8.

The Orlando Magic used a big third quarter to spoil Mark Jackson’s homecoming, beating the host Indiana Pacers 99-90.

Horace Grant had 19 points and Dennis Scott, Nick Anderson and Anfernee Hardaway 17 each for the Magic.

Orlando outscored the Pacers 29-15 in the third period as Indiana struggled with five turnovers and the Magic began to hit from outside - connecting on four 3-pointers in the quarter to build a 16-point lead.