Knicks 85
Jazz 79
SALT LAKE CITY – Even when the Knicks were Jeff Van Gundy-good or Pat Riley-rough, this franchise was never competitive here at Utah’s Delta Center.
But last night, Don Chaney’s Knicks stunned the NBA universe with an 85-79 shocker at the Delta Center for their first victory here since Jan. 22, 1992. The Knicks stood up to Karl Malone – literally – when Clarence Weatherspoon challenged him to a fight late in the second quarter and wouldn’t back down from the still-sturdy Jazz.
Weatherspoon then hit a huge 17-footer from the left baseline with 54 seconds left, giving the Knicks a 81-77 lead.
Latrell Sprewell, sick as a dog, wracked by a sinus infection and bruised knee, was amazing down the stretch, stealing two balls in the backcourt and hitting the clinching free throws to put the Knicks up 83-79 with 10.7 seconds left. Sprewell then stole the inbounds pass with seven seconds left and hit two more free throws to finish with 19 points, sending the Utah fans to the exits.
After losing eight straight times in Utah and following a humiliation in Denver the night before, the Knicks made John Starks eat his pregame words in which he branded his former team quitters.
Malone made an inside bucket and got fouled with 44 seconds left, but missed the free throw that would have brought Utah within one point. With the Jazz still down two, Bryan Russell missed an open 18-footer with 20 seconds left.
With two minutes left, Sprewell scored on a drive to make it 79-73, then stole the ball from Malone in the backcourt. Former Jazz guard Howard Eisley, booed almost every time he touched the ball, put the Knicks into the lead 73-72 with 4:11 left on a pullup in the lane after Utah had led the whole fourth quarter.
A frustrated Malone, who usually kills the Knicks, shot a miserable 5-of-15 in the first half. As he turned on the low right block to face the basket with 54 seconds left in the half, Malone smacked Weatherspoon in the mouth with the ball. It was either a sloppy ball-fake or an intentional dirty play.
Malone missed the shot and Weatherspoon grabbed the rebound, but had a cut on his lip. A timeout was called while Weatherspoon was treated.
When he returned to the court to inbound in front of the Jazz bench, Weatherspoon told the officials about what Malone had done. Malone responded by yapping at Weatherspoon, who then lost his cool and started shouting, “Bring it on” at Malone.
The officials got a hold of the furious Weatherspoon as he tried to move toward Malone, who never stood up. Chaney raced the length of the court to also hold back Weatherspoon.
Malone and Weatherspoon received double technicals but stayed in the game. The Knicks went into the locker room ahead 41-36 – a complete reversal of Thursday, when they were defenseless in Denver.
With Mark Jackson on the bench, Eisley sparked the Knicks rally after they trailed by 12-4 after five minutes. Both Eisley and ex-Jazz forward Shandon Anderson were booed when they entered the game.
