NEW YORK — In what may have been Kobe Bryant’s final game at Madison Square Garden, the Los Angeles Lakers’ star won the crowd, but a late 3-pointer by Langston Galloway and tough defense in the final minutes made sure the New York Knicks won the game for their first home victory of the season.
Galloway, a guard, nailed a 3-pointer from the wing with two minutes remaining for a two-point New York lead, and the Knicks never trailed again on their way to a 99-95 win on Sunday.
Forward Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with a game-high 24 points, 11 of them in the fourth quarter, on 8-for-20 shooting and also grabbed eight rebounds. Point guard Jose Calderon added 14 points, center Robin Lopez had 14 points, 13 rebounds and four assists, and Galloway dropped in 14 points off the bench on 5-for-9 shooting.
Drawing a roar from the New York crowd on almost every shot attempt, the 37-year-old Bryant finished with a team-high 18 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Center Roy Hibbert added 18 points and nine rebounds, second-year guard Jordan Clarkson chipped in with 10 points, and forward Julius Randle grabbed 11 rebounds.
Heat 96, Raptors 76
MIAMI — Hassan Whiteside had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks to lead Miami to a win over Toronto at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Whiteside, 26, outplayed Jonas Valanciunas, 23, in a battle of young centers. Valanciunas had 17 points and five rebounds, but he was held to just one point in the second half.
The Heat also got contributions from Chris Bosh (23 points, eight rebounds) and Dwyane Wade (12 points). Wade passed former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen for 51st place on the NBA career scoring list.
Bosh is now 12-0 against the Raptors, his original NBA team.
Cavaliers 101, Pacers 97
CLEVELAND – Kevin Love scored 22 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, including two big baskets in the game’s final minute, and Cleveland extended its winning streak to six games with a victory against Indiana.
LeBron James had 29 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Cavs, while Tristan Thompson had 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Cleveland hasn’t lost since opening night in Chicago at the buzzer.
Paul George scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Pacers, while Monta Ellis scored 25 points and Jordan Hill grabbed 11 rebounds. The Pacers had their own three-game winning streak snapped.