Unheralded Lin carries Knicks to 99-92 victory over Nets

Feb 5, 2012, 5:55 GMT

Los Angeles - Little-used Jeremy Lin had career highs of 25 points, seven assists and five rebounds as the host New York Knicks turned boos into cheers with a much-needed 99-92 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night.

It was an unimaginable performance from Lin, who received no college scholarship offers, was not drafted by any NBA team and was cut by Golden State and Houston prior to this season. The Knicks signed him only to fill out their roster.

Tyson Chandler had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks (9-15), who were playing the last of three games in three nights. They had lost five of their last six games, leading to strong speculation about coach Mike D'Antoni's job security.

San Antonio 107, Oklahoma City 96 =

France's Tony Parker erupted for 42 points and passed Avery Johnson as the franchise's all-time assists leader with 4,477 as the Spurs improved to a league-best 13-1 at home before leaving on a nine-game trip.

Cleveland 91, Dallas 88 =

Rookie Kyrie Irving scored 20 points, including a driving layup with 15 seconds left, as the host Cavaliers edged the defending champions, who have lost three in a row.

Elsewhere, the Chicago Bulls routed the host Milwaukee Bucks, 113-90; the Utah Jazz surged past the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 96-87; the Orlando Magic edged the host Indiana Pacers, 85-81; the visiting Los Angeles Clippers crushed the Washington Wizards, 107-81; and the Philadelphia 76ers notched a 98-87 road win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Also, the Minnesota Timberwolves got past the visiting Houston Rockets, 100-91; the host Portland Trail Blazers pounded the Denver Nuggets, 117-97; the host Detroit Pistons held off the New Orleans Hornets, 89-87; the Phoenix Suns trimmed the visiting Charlotte Bobcats, 95-89; and the host Sacramento Kings edged the Golden State Warriors in overtime, 114-106.