The New York Knicks (22-22) needed overtime to pick up a home win Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden over the Utah Jazz (18-24), 118-111.
The Knicks came back from deficits of 11 at halftime and eight heading into the fourth quarter to take an 87-86 lead with 3:54 to play on a Kristaps Porzingis three-pointer. It looked like that lead would hold up until Porzingis fouled Gordon Hayward on a three-point shot up 99-96 with just two seconds left on the clock. Hayward hit the free throws and forced overtime, but the Knicks shot a scorching 6-9 from the field in the extra period to seal the win.
Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 30 points on an efficient 13-20 shooting from the field, and he filled up the stat sheet with nine assists and seven rebounds. The rest of the Knicks front court stepped up as well, as Robin Lopez dropped 22 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked three shots and Porzingis added 16 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Derrick Williams added 19 off the bench as the Knicks won the points in the paint battle 50-30.
The Jazz knocked down 12 three-pointers to keep pace with New York's big men, including five from Rodney Hood, who led the Jazz with 29 points and added six rebounds and five assists. Gordon Hayward poured in 27 points (8-19 FG, 10-10 FT), but nobody else managed more than 13. The Jazz actually shot worse from two (25-59, 42.4 percent) than three (12-27, 44.4 percent), and it was their inability to capitalize inside despite 14 offensive rebounds that cost them.
The Knicks continue a homestand with a Friday contest against the Clippers. Utah remains on an east coast road trip with a Friday game at Brooklyn.
