Lin again lifts Knicks to fifth straight win

Feb 12, 2012, 6:01 GMT

Los Angeles - Jeremy Lin fought through fatigue to collect 20 points and eight assists and made the go-ahead free throw with 4.9 seconds left Saturday night to give the New York Knicks their season-high fifth straight win, a 100-98 victory over the host Minnesota Timberwolves.

It was the fifth straight game with at least 20 points for Lin, an unheralded journeyman point guard who has salvaged New York's season.

He showed signs of fatigue in missing 16 of 24 shots and committing six turnovers but outplayed Spanish rookie sensation Ricky Rubio and continued the most unlikely story of the NBA season.

Iman Shumpert scored 20 points, Landry Fields added 19 and Tyson Chandler 12 for the Knicks (13-15), who again won without stars Carmelo Anthony (groin) and Amar'e Stoudemire (family death).

Kevin Love had 32 points and 21 rebounds and Montenegro's Nikola Pekovic added 21 and 13 for the Timberwolves (13-15), who have lost three in a row.

Dallas 97, Portland 94 (2OT) =

German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points, including a clutch jumper with 16 seconds left that gave the host Mavericks their third straight win. LaMarcus Aldridge had 33 points and 12 boards for the Trail Blazers.

San Antonio 103, New Jersey 89 =

Gary Neal paced a balanced attack with 18 points and the visiting Spurs welcomed back Argentine star Manu Ginobili, who had missed 22 games with a broken hand. The Nets have lost six in a row.

Elsewhere, the visiting Los Angeles Clippers routed the Charlotte Bobcats, 111-86; the Philadelphia 76ers cruised past the host Cleveland Cavaliers, 99-84; the visiting Denver Nuggets edged the Indiana Pacers, 113-109; the Orlando Magic rallied for a 99-94 victory over the host Milwaukee Bucks; and the Phoenix Suns notched a 98-84 road win over the Sacramento Kings.