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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
NEW YORK (AP) -- When Sunday's game against the New York Knicks
came down to crunch time, Philadelphia coach Larry Brown had a game
plan for the 76ers.
"We give them one bad shot without fouling, every time down the
court," he told his team as the Sixers sought to protect a lead
they maintained for most of the game.
|  | | Knicks center Patrick Ewing scores two of his team-high 18 points from close range. |
One good shot from the field by Larry Johnson was all the Knicks
needed to catch the Sixers in the final minute and another good one
from the foul line by Chris Childs delivered an 89-88 victory.
Johnson converted a second rebound with 46.8 seconds to play to
tie it and then Childs' free throw with 16.9 seconds left produced
the winning point.
Then tight defense by Childs and Patrick Ewing prevented Eric
Snow from getting a good look at the basket and his last-second
shot missed, sealing the victory for the Knicks.
Earlier, Johnson nailed consecutive 3-point baskets to keep the
Knicks close at the end of the third quarter.
"Larry has been struggling a lot offensively," coach Jeff Van
Gundy said. "I believe in Larry Johnson. I have since he came
here. I believe in his character and preparation. For him to have
that big tip-in and a couple of 3s, I thought that was
tremendous."
The Knicks hung around all game long, falling behind by as many
as 12 points but never losing sight of the Sixers, despite 26
points by Allen Iverson and 19 points and 20 rebounds by Tyrone
Hill.
New York caught the 76ers for the first time late in the third
quarter on Johnson's consecutive 3-pointers. Snow's shot, as time
ran out in the period, caromed high in the air and then dropped
cleanly through the basket to gave the Sixers a 72-70 lead with 12
minutes to play.
The Knicks tightened their defense after that and it paid off.
"We found a way to play defense like we didn't do earlier in
the game," Allan Houston said. "We basically stepped up our
defense and gave ourselves a chance. Patrick and Larry had some
great tip-ins and we made our free throws and those are the little
things that help you win close games."
Philadelphia was in front throughout the fourth, but the Knicks
stayed close after Houston converted an illegal defense technical
foul. Ewing's basket tied the score at 86 with 75 seconds to play.
But Iverson put Philadelphia ahead on a goaltending call against
Ewing.
Latrell Sprewell drove for the tying basket but missed. Ewing's
rebound attempt also rolled off, but Johnson's second rebound
attempt went in, tying the score again and setting the stage for
Childs.
Brown was disappointed by the ending.
"We had our opportunities to make baskets and it just didn't
happen," he said. "We had a defensive breakdown but we still
couldn't hit a shot. We had every chance to make our baskets, and
it just didn't happen."
Ewing led six Knicks in double figures with 18 points, while
Houston and John Wallace each scored 15. Ewing and Sprewell had 10
rebounds apiece.
Game notes
The loss ended a modest two-game winning streak for the
Sixers. ... Philadelphia was called for goaltending three times.
... Toni Kukoc, acquired in a three-team trade last week, played 22
minutes in reserve and scored six points for Philadelphia. ... It
was the 327th consecutive Madison Square Garden sellout for the
Knicks.
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NBA Scoreboard
Philadelphia Clubhouse
New York Clubhouse
RECAPS
Toronto 103
Phoenix 102
Milwaukee 102
Orlando 95
New York 89
Philadelphia 88
Portland 101
Utah 92
LA Lakers 101
Houston 85
Minnesota 102
San Antonio 98
Detroit 93
Chicago 90
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