Knicks extend win streak to five

Playing their second game in two nights and forced into overtime after blowing an 18-point lead, the New York Knicks were in need of some energy.

It came from the oldest player on the team.

Antonio Davis had four points and three rebounds in overtime, while playing tough defense on Dirk Nowitzki, and the Knicks beat the visiting Dallas Mavericks 117-115 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win.

“I think they understand how much I care about this team and how badly I want to win,” the 37-year-old Davis said. “I don’t want to open the papers and see the position that we’re in, and a lot of times you have to know your role. You have to know what you can do and what you can’t do. And what I can do is I can defend a guy and I can rebound.

“When they see me running after a rebound, or something like that, they really understand what this game is all about.”

Stephon Marbury scored 28 points, Jamal Crawford added 25 points and Eddy Curry had 21 for the Knicks, who beat one of the NBA’s top teams for the second time in two nights and have won five in a row for the first time since Jan. 30-Feb 8, 2004.

Jazz 110, 76ers 102: At Philadelphia, Mehmet Okur scored 25 points and Andrei Kirilenko added 23, helping Utah overcome Allen Iverson’s 46 points in a victory over Philadelphia. Milt Palacio had 17 points, Gordan Giricek added 16 and Okur had eight assists and eight rebounds as Utah won its third straight game on the road.

Wizards 103, Hawks 72: At Washington, Donell Taylor scored a career-high 15 points to lead Washington over Atlanta. Jared Jeffries matched his career high with 15 points, Caron Butler had 14 points and Antawn Jamison scored 13 in a rare appearance off the bench as the Wizards won for just the second time in seven games.

Pacers 112, Bucks 88: At Indianapolis, Stephen Jackson scored 24 points to help Indiana beat Milwaukee. The Pacers shot 56 percent from the field and handed the Bucks their fourth loss in five games.

Raptors 95, Bobcats 86: At Toronto, Chris Bosh had 29 points and 10 rebounds and Mike James added 24 points for the Raptors in a victory over injury-ravaged Charlotte. Morris Peterson had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors.

Timberwolves 99, Bulls 93: At Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett had 28 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists to lead Minnesota over Chicago. Garnett’s 500th career double-double helped snap a three-game losing streak, and Wally Szczerbiak added 25 points and nine rebounds.

Kings 88, Rockets 80: At Houston, Mike Bibby and Corliss Williamson scored 19 points apiece to lead Sacramento past short-handed Houston. Brad Miller added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings.

“Sacramento guard Peja Stojakovic re-aggravated a back injury in the third quarter and did not return. He said after the game he re-injured a protruding disc in his lower back that has bothered him since late December.

Trail Blazers 113, Lakers 103: At Portland, the Trail Blazers overcame Kobe Bryant’s 41 points, ending his streak of 45-plus games at four, in a victory over Los Angeles. Juan Dixon scored 27 points to help Portland stop a six-game skid and end Los Angeles’ three-game winning streak.

Heat 110, Warriors 96: At Oakland, Calif., Dwyane Wade had 32 points, 11 assists and five rebounds, and Miami won its fourth straight game against Golden State. Shaquille O’Neal bounced back from two subpar games to finish with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat.

Around the league

Detroit guard Carlos Arroyo was suspended by the NBA for one game without pay for bumping an official while protesting a foul call during a win over New Orleans on Tuesday.