Randle leads Knicks past Hornets to tie Atlanta for 4th spot

NEW YORK — Julius Randle had 33 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, and led an overtime surge that sent the New York Knicks past the Charlotte Hornets 118-109 on Saturday.

Reggie Bullock added 17 points for the Knicks, who improved to 40-31 and moved into a tie with the idle Atlanta Hawks for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The Miami Heat, at 39-31, are scheduled to play at Milwaukee on Saturday night, and could create a logjam with a victory heading into the Sunday, the last day of regular season play.

If the Milwaukee beats Miami, the Knicks could clinch the fourth spot by beating the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

Knick coach Tom Thibodeau, along with his players, will be keeping an eye on how the HeatBucks game unfolds.

“For us the big thing is take care of home court, take care of the game that we have at hand. If we take care of the little things, the big thing will take care of itself,” Thibodeau said. “But I think it is important for everyone to understand the business, who’s in it, how every game impacts something. So I want them studying the league as well.”

The Knicks have won 15 of 19.

“Can’t speak for other teams, but whatever challenge or opponent there is for us, we’ll be ready for,” Randle said. “We’ll be excited. We’ll accept the challenge.”

Miles Bridges had 16 of his 30 points in the third quarter and Devonte Graham added 25 for the Hornets, who have lost four straight games.

“A spectacular performance by him. It was just special,” Hornets coach James Borrego said of Bridges’ outburst. “What a lift — just his energy and spirit of him. Then the production is much more than I could have expected or imagined.”