Lin explodes for career-high 38 points, Knicks knock off Lakers

By Paul Levine Feb 11, 2012, 6:55 GMT

Los Angeles - Lin-sanity is reaching new highs.

Jeremy Lin exploded for a career-high 38 points and out-dueled Kobe Bryant on Friday night, carrying the New York Knicks past the LA Lakers 92-85.

It's been a remarkable week for Lin, cut by two NBA teams and buried at the end of the Knicks' bench until last Saturday.

Given an opportunity to play, the undrafted and unheralded 23-year-old Asian-American from Harvard has averaged 28 points while leading the re-energized club to a season-high four consecutive victories.

'This is my dream and I'm living it out,' said Lin, who has captivated Knicks fans with his passion and unselfish play.

'I didn't know how it would turn out. It's been a wild week for me. You hope for the best and prepare for the worst and I'm thankful it's turned out the way it is.'

Iman Shumpert netted 12 points while Jared Jeffries added 11 for the Knicks, who without top scorers Carmelo Anthony (groin strain) and Amar'e Stoudemire (family death), have been riding Lin's meteoric overnight success.

'It couldn't happen to a better kid,' Jeffries said. 'He lifts us up, he inspires us to play better. He's playing the game as good as anyone in the league. Right now, he's the best guard in the NBA.'

Lin took charge after the Lakers pulled to within 79-71 midway through the final quarter. The speedy guard ran off nine of his team's final 13 points, including two free throws with 52 seconds left to chants of 'MVP! MVP!' from the wildly cheering fans at sold out Madison Square Garden as the Knicks ended a nine-game slide to the Western Conference powerhouse.

'What he's doing is amazing,' Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said of Lin. 'There's so much stuff that he's doing. We're a team.

'When you play the right way, and you play with what's in your heart, then anything is possible.'

Bryant scored 34 points on 11-of-29 shooting while Spaniard Pau Gasol finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who dropped to 4-10 on the road.

Elsewhere: Oklahoma City Thunder 101, Utah Jazz 87: Russell Westbrook scored 28 points, Kevin Durant added 19 and the Thunder sent coach Scott Brooks to guide the Western Conference in the February 26 All-Star Game in Orlando, after beating the Jazz to clinch the best record in the West (21-6).

Miami Heat 106, Washington Wizards 89: Dwyane Wade dropped in 26 points, Chris Bosh had 24 with 11 rebounds and the visiting Heat ran past the Wizards.

LA Clippers 78, Philadelphia 76ers 77: Chris Paul scored 24 points, including the game-winning jumper with 3.2 seconds left, sending the visiting Clippers past the Sixers.

Chicago Bulls 95, Charlotte Bobcats 64: Joakim Noah had 17 points and 14 rebounds, and the visiting Bulls overcame the absence of reigning league most valuable player Derrick Rose because of a sore lower back for their fifth straight victory while handing the league-worst Bobcats their 13th consecutive loss.

Dallas Mavericks 104, Minnesota Timberwolves 97: German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 33 point and the visiting Mavericks trimmed the Timberwolves, who received 32 points and 12 rebounds from Kevin Love following a two-game league suspension.

Toronto Raptors 86, Boston Celtics 74: DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points, Spaniard Jose Calderon had 17 points with 14 assists, and the Raptors stifled the visiting Celtics for just the third time in past 20 meetings.

Atlanta Hawks 89, Orlando Magic 87: Josh Smith had 23 points and 19 rebounds, while Joe Johnson scored four of his 14 in the extra session, helping the visiting Hawks edge the Magic.

Dwight Howard collected 18 points and 18 rebounds in Orlando's second loss in three games.

Memphis Grizzlies 98, Indiana Pacers 92: Rudy Gay scored 21 points, Marreese Speights added a season-high 19 and the Grizzlies pulled away down the stretch to beat the visiting Pacers.

Milwaukee Bucks 113, Cleveland Cavaliers 112 ( OT): Brandon Jennings scored 24 points while Drew Gooden added 19, including four free throws in the final 4.4 seconds of overtime, and the visiting Bucks shaded the Cavaliers, who received a season-best 34 points from Antawn Jamison.

Portland Trail Blazers 94, New Orleans Hornets 86: Jamal Crawford fired in a season-high 31 points, and the visiting Trail Blazers handed the Hornets their eighth straight loss and 23rd in 25 games.

Detroit Pistons 109, New Jersey Nets 92: Swede Jonas Jerebko scored 20 points, Greg Monroe had 18 with 11 rebounds and the Pistons pounded the visiting Nets for their season-high fourth straight win.