Strong finish helps Knicks

The New York Knicks scored 16 of the last 20 points of the game to roar past the Houston Rockets in a 104-98 win at the Garden.

The New York Knicks scored 16 of the last 20 points of the game to roar past the Houston Rockets, who felt the absence of the injured centre Yao Ming in falling 104-98 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. With the diminutive Nate Robinson and forwards David Lee and Wilson Chandler penetrating to the hoop, the Knicks (19-25) overcame a 94-88 deficit with their surge to upset Houston (28-18).

"Well obviously Yao is a big part of that team and that changes everything," the Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said about the Chinese centre. Meanwhile, Peja Stojakovic drilled five consecutive three -pointers in the first 3:24 of the final quarter to help the New Orleans Hornets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 101-86. Shaquille O'Neal had 29 points and eight rebounds in 36 minutes of a back-to-back performance to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 103-87 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Brandon Roy scored 33 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 113-88 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Roy hit 11-of-15 shots from the field, including both three-pointers and all eight free throws that he attempted, to help the Blazers to their second straight win. Playing their first game without their leading scorer Michael Redd - who is ruled out for the season with a knee injury - the Milwaukee Bucks fell apart in the third quarter as they went down 90-83 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kevin Durant scored 18 points to lead five players in double figures and the Oklahoma City Thunder staved off a big rally for a 94-85 victory over the New Jersey Nets. Jeff Green and rookie Russell Westbrook each scored 13 points for the Thunder, who won for the fifth time in eight games. * With Agencies