Knicks slowly improving at season’s end

On Friday night, Jamal Crawford knocked down a jump shot with 2.2 seconds remaining in the game to lift New York over the NBA’s top team, 105-103, at Madison Square Garden.

Crawford ended with 18 points for the Knicks, who overcame a 16-point deficit to win their second straight contest. Eddy Curry added 16 points and 11 rebounds for New York, which celebrated its biggest win of the season in green uniforms that were donned in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

The Knicks are 2-1 on their current five-game homestand and 13-19 at Madison Square Garden this season. They will close out the stand versus Toronto on Tuesday.

Sunday’s matchup with the Miami Heat is the third and final meeting of the season between the teams.

The Heat have won six in a row and seven of eight against New York, including a 107-94 decision on November 28 and a 103-83 triumph on February 22 this season.

Miami has won four straight and six of its last eight trips to the Big Apple.

In other New York news, head coach Larry Brown and star guard Stephon Marbury are still butting heads.

According to Brown, Marbury asked the Hall of Fame coach to take him out of Friday’s game during the waning moments of a big victory. Brown noted that his point guard didn’t want to take the big shot and his defensive effort is suspect at times.