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Knicks hold off slumping Lakers as Bryant serves suspension
2007-01-31
The New York Knicks survived a late rally to record a 99-94 home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, handing the visitors a season-high third straight loss as a suspended Kobe Bryant sat out the game. Earlier in the day, the league suspended Bryant for one game, without pay, for striking San Antonio's Manu Ginobili in the face during an overtime loss to the Spurs on Sunday. The Lakers star requested an immediate appeal hearing but that was denied by the league, forcing Bryant to miss the contest at Madison Square Garden. New York took advantage of Bryant's absence to lead for most of the night, but the Lakers staged a furious rally in the final minutes to close to within two points before the Knicks put the game away with several late free throws. The Knicks improved to 20-27, but are still under .500 at home (12-13) despite the win. The Lakers (27-18) lost for the fourth time in five games as they start a season-high eight-game road trip. Bryant will return to the line-up on Wednesday when the Lakers visit Boston. He can still appeal the suspension but will just get his docked salary back should he be successful. Eddy Curry led the Knicks with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Stephon Marbury added 22 points and had seven rebounds. New York shot 49 percent from the field. Lamar Odom had 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Lakers, while Vladimir Radmanovic added 18 points and nine rebounds. *LeBron James sat out his second game in a week with a bruised toe, but his replacement Sacha Pavlovic scored a career-high 24 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors 124-97. *Shaquille O'Neal sat out with an injured calf, but Dwyane Wade had 28 points in just three quarters as the Miami Heat routed the Milwaukee Bucks 110-80. *Gilbert Arenas had 36 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as the Washington Wizards beat the Detroit Pistons 104-99. Antawn Jamison left the game with a knee injury for Washington. *The Boston Celtics lost their 12th straight game as Jamaal Tinsley scored a season-high 28 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 103-96 win over the Celtics.
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