Porzingis nets career-high 40 as Knicks streak on
Harden pours in 56 points to propel Rockets Hawks edge slumping Cavaliers Celtics win 8th straight
For the second time in three days, it took until the mid-fourth quarter for Madison Square Garden to come alive.
Once it did, though, the legendary arena rocked as it hasn’t in years.
And this time, the New York Knicks were coming back from a 19-point deficit instead of trying to hold onto a big lead.
The Knicks eventually overcame Indiana on Sunday night for a 108-101 win after the Pacers led by more than 10 points for much of the game.
With 3:26 remaining, Kristaps Porzingis hit a leaning jumper while drawing a foul. The Latvian drew chants of “MVP! MVP!” as he sank the free throw, giving New York its first lead since just over three minutes remained in the first quarter.
He finished with a career-high 40 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, as the Knicks won for the fifth time in six games.
Porzingis, who added eight rebounds, six blocks and two three-pointers, exploded for 10 points in a five-minute stretch to start the final quarter, which the Knicks entered trailing 84-72.
Porzingis made 15-of-24 shots from the field and hit 8-of-9 free throws, concluding a week in which he also put up games of 38 (then a career high) and 37 points.
Porzingis said he was happy to play the role of team leader, even with the extra attention it brings from opposing defenses.
“I’m very comfortable,” he said. “I’m seeing a different type of defense almost every night. No matter who I’m playing against they’re trying to be physical with me.”
Knick coach Jeff Hornacek heaped praise on Porzingis.
“He’s got great confidence when he’s shooting,” Hornacek said. “Can’t argue with the way he’s playing.”
Tim Hardaway Jr. (16 points) and rookie Frank Ntilikina (10) were the only other Knick st os core in double figures, though En es Kanter added nine points and 18 rebounds.
Rockets 137, Jazz 110
James Harden poured in a career-high 56 points as Houston rolled over Utah.
Harden fell one point shy of the franchise record held by Hall of Fame guard Calvin Murphy. He finished 19-of-25 from the floor, including 7-of-8 from behind the three-point arc, while making 11-of-12 free throws. Harden added 13 assists.
All five Utah starters scored in double figures, led by rookie guard Donovan Mitchell with 17 points off the bench.
Hawks 117, Cavaliers 115
Dennis Schroder scored 28 points and depleted Atlanta stopped its eight-game losing streak by beating Cleveland.
The Hawks, without five rotation players, built a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter but nearly let it slip away. Channing Frye missed a three-pointer with one second to go that would have won it for Cleveland, and Dwyane Wade’s missed tip-in at the buzzer would have tied it.
LeBron James scored 10 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Kyle Korver had 19 of his 23 in the fourth, and Wade finished with 25 for the Cavs, who have lost five of their last six games.
Celtics 104, Magic 88
Boston won its eighth consecutive game, beating Orlando with another impressive defensive performance.
Jaylen Brown led Boston’s well-balanced attack with 18 points. Al Horford had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Jayson Tatum scored 13 points for the Celtics, who have built the NBA’s best record by allowing the fewest points (99.1 per game).
Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Trail Blazers 103, Thunder 99
Damian Lillard matched his season high with 36 points, including two free throws to seal Portland’s victory over Oklahoma City.
Lillard was 10-of-18 from the field and 15-of-15 from the foul line and had a season-high 13 assists. Jusuf Nurkic added 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting for the Trail Blazers.
Paul George scored 27 points for the Thunder on a night when reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook struggled with his shot. Westbrook had 25 points and nine assists, but was 10 of 25 from the field, 3-of-10 from three-point range and only 2-of-7 from the foul line.
Heat 104, Clippers 101
Hassan Whiteside had 21 points and 17 rebounds to help Miami hold off Los Angeles.
The win allowed the Heat to snap a fourgame losing streak to the Clippers. Tyler Johnson scored 19 points for Miami, and Wayne Ellington had 17.
Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 23 points, and Lou Williams had 22 off the bench. DeAndre Jordan collected 10 points and 19 rebounds.
Timberwolves 112, Hornets 94
Jeff Teague had 18 points and 12 assists, Andrew Wiggins scored a team-high 20, and Minnesota coasted past Charlotte.
Jamal Crawford provided a big spark with 15 points off the bench, and Minnesota was 26-of-30 from the free-throw line to win its fifth straight game, the first five-game winning streak for the franchise since January 2009.
Dwight Howard had 13 points and nine rebounds for Charlotte, which has lost two straight games.
Lakers 107, Grizzlies 102
After nearly gave away a 22-point, third-quarter lead, Los Angeles held on for a victory over Memphis.
Brook Lopez led Los Angeles with 21 points. Brandon Ingram scored 14 of his 20 points in the final four minutes of the third quarter. Jordan Clarkson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 15 apiece, and Kyle Kuzma finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers.
Tyreke Evans scored 26 points off the bench, and Mike Conley added 23 for the Grizzlies. Marc Gasol had 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.