Knicks beat Bulls, end eight-game losing streak

The Knicks ended an eight-game losing streak Saturday as Stephon Marbury and Zach Randolph led a late surge in an 85-78 home victory over the slumping Chicago Bulls.

 "We can go out to dinner tonight," said much-maligned Knicks coach Isiah Thomas. "But we may not be able to go tomorrow night."

   The Knicks won for the first time since November 6 vs. Denver. During that drought, Marbury left the team for one day after learning he could be benched.  Rumors also swirled that days were numbered for Thomas, the coach and president whose questionable personnel moves were compounded this summer by his culpability in an $11.6 million sexual harassment judgment against the team.

 Thomas, Marbury and the rest of the Knicks have been treated to showers of boos at Madison Square Garden.  They were able to change the sound to cheers, but not before blowing a 14-point second-half lead.

 "Him getting booed and the team getting booed and myself getting booed - we understand that the fans are here because they really want to see us win," Thomas said.  "They get frustrated because were not performing to the level were capable of performing at."

   A jumper by Kirk Hinrich pulled Chicago into a 75-75 tie with 4:09 to go.  New York's Quentin Richardson made a free throw and Marbury drilled a jumper for a 78-75 edge.

 Randolph threw in a running hook and buried a 21-footer to make it 82-75 with 29 seconds left.  He later added two free throws for the final margin.

 "Everybody stuck together," said Randolph, who scored 20 points.  "We just needed this win."

   Eddy Curry scored 21 points, Marbury added 19 and Richardson grabbed 15 rebounds for the Knicks (3-9), who held a 52-42 advantage on the glass.

 Argentina's Andres Nocioni scored 23 points for the Bulls, who missed their last eight shots and were just 34.5 per cent (29-of-84) from the field.  Chicago (2-9) has lost three in a row to drop to the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

 "I have total belief in myself and my staff," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said.  "We've just got to stay with it.  Somehow we've got to find a way to step up and make shots."

   Meanwhile, Thomas, Marbury and the rest of the team can enjoy themselves for a day or two.  But the Knicks host division leaders Utah on Monday and Boston on Thursday, so things can change quickly.

 "In New York you're either dead or alive," Thomas said.  "You lose a game and you're dead and you win one and you get to survive.  This is a pressure-packed place. ... If we don't win Monday, it's the same thing all over again."

Boston 96, Charlotte 95

   Ray Allen's 3-pointer at the buzzer off a stolen inbounds pass gave the visiting Celtics their third straight win.  Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce scored 23 points each for league-leading Boston (11-1). Jason Richardson scored 23 points for Charlotte, losers of three straight.

Milwaukee 97, Dallas 95

   Michael Redd scored 27 points for the Bucks, who improved to 6-0 at home with their fifth consecutive win overall.  Josh Howard scored 24 points and German superstar Dirk Nowitzki added 20 for Dallas, which has lost two in a row.

Houston 109, Denver 81

   Tracy McGrady scored 35 points and Chinese star Yao Ming added 22 and 13 boards as host Houston ended a six-game slide.  Allen Iverson scored 18 points for Denver.

Orlando 120, Miami 99

   Turkey's Hedo Turkoglu scored 27 points, giving coach Stan Van Gundy a win in his first game against his former team and Orlando its league-leading 12th victory.  Dwyane Wade scored 32 points for the visiting Heat, who have lost straight to their intrastate rivals.

Memphis 124, Washington 118

   Spanish rookie Juan Carlos Navarro scored 28 points to offset a season-high 41 points by Antawn Jamison and lift host Memphis, which also received 21 points from Spain's Pau Gasol.

Cleveland 111, Toronto 108

   LeBron James won his duel with 2003 draft classmate Chris Bosh, collecting 37 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists to lead visiting Cleveland.  Bosh matched his career high with 41 points.

New Orleans 98, LA Clippers 89

   Serbia's Peja Stojakovic scored 22 points to lead all five starters in double figures for visiting New Orleans, which ended a three-game losing streak.  Cuttino Mobley scored 20 points for Los Angeles.

Golden State 100, Philadelphia 98 (OT)

   Kelenna Azubuike's 3-pointer with 6.2 seconds left capped a 4-1 road trip for Golden State, which got 31 points from Monta Ellis.  Andre Iguodala scored 26 points for Philadelphia, which has dropped three in a row.

Atlanta 94, Minnesota 87

   Joe Johnson scored 25 points for Atlanta, which erased a 21-point deficit and has won two straight road games after losing 17 in a row away from home.  Al Jefferson had 23 points and 16 boards for league-worst Minnesota (1-10).

DPA