PA – Jeremy Lin scored 20 points, including the go-ahead free throw with 4.9 seconds remaining, as the New York Knicks defeated Minnesota 100-98 for their fifth NBA victory in a row.
Lin, the first US-born NBA player of Chinese and Taiwanese heritage, has captured attention worldwide after coming off the Knicks bench and helping New York to triumphs while stars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire were absent.
“As a team, he lifts us up,” Knicks team-mate Jared Jeffries said of Lin.
“It is weird to have a guy come in and be your team leader who’s bounced around. He inspires all of us to play harder because this kid gives his all on a daily basis.”
Lin was visibly exhausted but added a game-high eight assists and six rebounds for the Knicks, who rallied from an 11-point deficit to defeat the Timberwolves on Saturday. Iman Shumpert added 20 points for New York while Landry Fields contributed 19.
Anthony has been sidelined with a groin strain while Stoudemire is out due to the death of his brother.
Lin scored a career-high 38 points on Friday to help the Knicks defeat the Lakers, then scored 15 points in the first half against Minnesota before going 1-for-12 in the second half.
New York’s Steve Novak sank a 3-pointer off a pass from Lin to knot the game at 98 with 36 seconds remaining.
Lin was fouled on a drive to the basket by Minnesota’s Luke Ridnour with 4.9 seconds left and hit the second free throw to give the Knicks the lead for good.
After a Timberwolves turnover, Bill Walker was fouled and hit a free throw, giving the T-Wolves one last chance. But Kevin Love, who had 32 points and 21 rebounds, missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Lin was undrafted after playing at Harvard University and cut in December by Golden State and Houston, only to find a place with the Knicks and make the most of his magic moment, becoming the first player since LeBron James to average 20 points and eight assists in his first two NBA starts.
“He’s so good,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He’s all about the team. His defence is good. His energy is good. His personality rubs off on everybody.
“You play the game the right way and you play hard, you start to feel something in your heart. When you do that, anything is possible.”
In other matches, German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points, including a clutch jumper with 16 seconds left to give Dallas a 97-94 double overtime victory, their third win in a row.
San Antonio welcomed back Argentine star Manu Ginobili after 22 straight matches out with a broken hand, and beat New Jersey 103-89, adding to the Nets’ six-game losing streak.
The LA Clippers handed the Charlotte Bobcats their 14th straight loss, as Blake Griffin contributed 21 points and 10 rebounds to the 111-86 result.
Philadelphia defeated Cleveland 99-84, Denver toppled Indiana 113-109, Orlando snuck home 99-94 over Milwaukee and Phoenix were too good for Sacramento, 98-84.