NBA Game Summary - New York at Cleveland

Cleveland, OH (Basketball News) - Maurice Taylor and Jamal Crawford sparked a key fourth-quarter run and the New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 95-89, at Gund Arena.

Crawford ended with 25 points and Taylor had 16 points for the Knicks, who won for just the second time in 12 outings. Stephon Marbury and Mike Sweetney had 14 points apiece, as New York issued a serious blow to the Cavs’ playoff seeding — if not postseason hopes.

The Cavs are just one-half game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland also leads ninth-place New Jersey by just two games with four to play.

LeBron James led Cleveland with 27 points, a career-high 18 rebounds and seven assists. Zydrunas Ilgauskas returned from a four-game absence due to injury and scored 13 points for the Cavs, who had a two-game win streak halted.

Ilgauskas had been out with a dislocated right ring finger.

Trailing 75-72 in the early stages of the fourth, Taylor and Crawford combined to score all 15 points during a 15-0 run that gave the Knicks the lead for good. Taylor had eight and Crawford six, giving New York an 87-75 cushion with 4:56 remaining.

Cleveland later drew within 93-89, but couldn’t score another point despite poor free throw shooting by New York down the stretch. The Knicks hit only 2- of-8 in the final minute from the line.

Robert Traylor had 13 points and Drew Gooden 12 for the Cavs, who dropped the season series to the Knicks 3-1.

New York, which won for just the second time in nine road games, led 29-28 after one quarter and headed into halftime ahead 53-45. Cleveland rallied to go ahead 72-70 after three quarters.