Apr 19, 2007, 14:55 GMT
Charlotte, NC - Eddy Curry's tip-in with 0.6 seconds remaining lifted the New York Knicks over the Charlotte Bobcats, 94-93, in the season-finale for both clubs.
Curry ended with 28 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks (33-49), who finished their season by ending a five-game losing streak. Steve Francis added 24 points and eight boards for New York, which also finished the first season under head coach Isiah Thomas with just three wins in its last 16 games.
Nate Robinson tallied 18 points and Malik Rose had 10 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, as the Knicks used the final second heroics to salvage an otherwise disappointing season that resulted in missing the playoffs for a third straight year and fifth time in six campaigns.
Walter Herrmann had 22 points to lead Charlotte (33-49), which dropped two of its final three games under head coach Bernie Bickerstaff, who is also the general manager and will remain with the team in a front office position.
The only head coach in Bobcats' history will not return next season. He ends his three-year reign with a 77-169 mark.
Raymond Felton added 19 points, Derek Anderson 14 and Brevin Knight tallied 12 points and 13 assists for Charlotte, which did record a franchise best win total despite another losing campaign.
Trailing 93-92 after Felton completed a three-point play with nine seconds left, the Knicks quickly brought the ball over midcourt. Robinson drove the lane and dished to Rose, who missed on a short lay-in attempt, but Curry was there to put in back in with less than a second to play.
Charlotte inbounded, but Felton missed on a desperation heave at the buzzer.
'It's great that we got this win but it's also kind of bittersweet because we're going home now,' said Curry. 'We definitely wanted to be in the postseason, but we'll use this as motivation.'
New York led 24-17 after one quarter and went into halftime trailing 40-38. The Bobcats increased to a 65-58 lead after three quarters, but the Knicks rallied in the final 12 minutes.
'The difference was offensive rebounding and free throws,' said Bickerstaff. 'We just had no answer for Curry.'
Game Notes
New York went 22-of-34 from the line, while the Bobcats went 11-of-19...Gerald Wallace had 12 points for the Bobcats...New York ended the season 14-27 on the road...Charlotte went 20-21 at home.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
View blog reactions
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)
Advertising
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)