Burks has big fourth, leads Knicks over Rockets
NEW YORK — Alec Burks scored 17 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, Evan Fournier added 19 and the New York Knicks handed the Houston Rockets their 14th consecutive loss with a 106-99 victory on Saturday.
Burks provided the Knicks a much-needed spark off the bench following Wednesday night’s disappointing loss to Orlando.
The reserve guard hit five of his career-high six 3pointers and recorded four of his five steals in the last period.
“I was just trying to make winning plays and it just happened like that. Shots went in,” Burks said.
One of his steals led to Obi Toppin’s dunk and then he picked off another bad pass and converted it into a 3-pointer that briefly gave the Knicks the lead.
“I just tried to play physical. I was trying to be aggressive,” Burks said.
All-Star Julius Randle had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Immanuel Quickley chipped in 13 points off the bench for the Knicks.
New York improved to 9-7 despite struggling against against one of the league’s worst teams for the second straight outing.
“I liked the way we fought, the way we found a way to win in the end,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “It wasn’t a smooth game.”
Christian Wood had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the NBA-worst Rockets (1-15), who have not won since a 124-91 rout over Oklahoma City on Oct. 24.
“That’s just a team learning, growing and fighting to the point where we got to five minutes and we had an opportunity and it hasn’t been like that,” Houston coach Stephen Silas said. “So I am proud of our guys. We just got to finish.”
CELTICS 111, THUNDER 105
BOSTON — Jayson Tatum scored 33 points, Dennis Schroder had 29 and Boston beat Oklahoma City.
Al Horford added 10 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for Boston, which won for seventh time in 10 games. Grant Williams chipped in with 14 points and Enes Kanter had 10 points and 10 boards.
Lu Dort scored 16 points for Oklahoma City, Josh Giddey had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 14 points. The Thunder have dropped four of five.