Latrell Sprewell outdid Vince Carter one-on-one down the stretch Wednesday night at New York, scoring 13 of New York's final 17 points, including the game-winner with 7.9 seconds left, as the Knicks came back from a 14-point, fourth quarter deficit to beat Toronto 84-83.
Carter had a chance to take the final shot, and he planned to put it up when he left his feet from 25 feet away with three seconds left. But at the last split second, changed his mind and passed to Dee Brown for an open 3-pointer from the wing, walking off with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Sprewell finished with 25 points and combined with Larry Johnson to score 21 of the Knicks' final 25. Game 3 is Sunday in Toronto.
Early in the second quarter the Knicks committed six turnovers in the first three minutes and fell behind 32-17 on a jump hook by Willis. New York's defensive intensity held Toronto without a field goal for almost seven minutes.
A 3-pointer by Sprewell off an offensive rebound cut the Knicks deficit to 36-34 with 1:04 left before halftime and got the crowd revved up for the first time, but Charles Oakley answered with a 3-pointer, Marcus Camby missed two foul shots and Carter hit a turnaround jumper to give Toronto a 41-34 lead at intermission.
Carter grabbed a loose ball under the basket and dunked it for a 48-37 lead early in the third, and a smattering of boos was heard when the Knicks called timeout with 8:03 left following a jumper by Antonio Davis that made it 50-37.
It was 67-55 entering the fourth, and 69-55 after a jump hook by Willis before the Knicks began their comeback.
Now, the Raptors have to try to become just the 13th team in NBA history to come back from a 0-2 deficit.
"It could be, and I hope that's the case," he said. "I'm getting tired of chasing Vince around" - (Agencies).
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
