Knicks, Wizards clash at MSG

On Monday, Stephon Marbury scored seven of his team- high 32 points in the third and final overtime session, leading New York over the Phoenix Suns, 140-133.

Marbury also dished out 10 assists, while Jamal Crawford added 29 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Knicks, who ended a three-game losing streak and earned just their second win in 12 games.

David Lee finished with career-highs of 23 points and 15 rebounds and Eddy Curry had 20 points and 15 boards as the Knicks blew a 13-point second-half lead and missed 22 free throws but still managed to win just their second game in their last eight at MSG.

The Knicks finally took control of the game in the third overtime. The stanza began with Curry converting a three-point play for a 130-127 lead. Then, after a Marion bucket, Lee converted a three-point play of his own for a 133-129 advantage. Later, with the Knicks ahead 133-131 with 2:52 on the clock, Curry blocked a James Jones dunk attempt to again spark the club.

Marbury then started his scoring spree, hitting a layup at the 2:36 mark for a four-point edge. After a Steve Nash miss on the Suns’ ensuing possession, Marbury hit 1-of-2 from the line and then hit a jumper with 1:44 left after New York corralled the rebound of the missed free throw for a 138-131 cushion.

Jones missed a three-pointer 13 seconds later and the Suns never recovered.

New York, which will close this stand on Sunday against Seattle, is 5-8 in its building this season.

Washington, meanwhile, comes in riding a three-game losing streak after falling to the Houston Rockets, 123-111, on Tuesday at the MCI Center. Gilbert Arenas poured in 44 points on 13-of-25 shooting, including 5-of-10 from beyond the arc, as the Wizards fell for the sixth time in their last nine tries.

Caron Butler added 20 points before fouling out for Washington, which lost by a wide margin despite scoring 41 points in the final quarter.

The Wizards, who will start a three-game homestand on Saturday against Boston, are 5-10 away from home this season. Washington will also welcome Utah and Atlanta on its upcoming stand.

Washington defeated the Knicks earlier in the season, but has dropped two of three and eight of the last 10 matchups. The Wizards have also dropped five of six at MSG and are just 3-9 in its last 12 visits to the Big Apple.