NEW YORK, Dec 4: Latrell Sprewell scored 23 points and Allan Houston added 22, including a pair of baskets in the final minute, as the New York Knicks rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Houston Rockets 89-86 Monday.

New York overcame a season-low eight points in the second quarter to win for the fourth time in five games.

After Marcus Camby’s free throw brought the Knicks within 85-83 with 1:41 left, the Rockets gave the ball to Glen Rice who shared the team lead with Kenny Thomas by scoring 20 points but misfired on a jumper from the left side.

Despite averaging just 8.4 points entering the game, Rice found his shooting stroke and was 9-of-17 from the field.

But Rice’s miss in the closing moments allowed Houston to bury a long jumper from the left wing with 54 seconds left, forcing an 85-85 tie.

In Orlando, Florida, Tracy McGrady and Mike Miller combined for 15 points in a dominant run to close the third quarter as the Magic beat the Memphis Grizzlies 113-71.

Miller finished with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting and McGrady had 22 points.

Monday’s results (home team in CAPS):

NEW YORK 89 Houston 86

ORLANDO 113 Memphis 71

PHOENIX 110 Golden State 93

—Reuters