Jeremy Lin scored 20 points, including the go-ahead free throw with 4.9 seconds remaining, as the New York Knicks defeated Minnesota 100-98 for their fifth victory in a row. Lin, the first US-born NBA player of Chinese and Taiwanese heritage, has captured attention worldwide after coming off the Knicks bench and helping New York to triumphs while stars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire were absent. “As a team, he lifts us up,” Knicks teammate Jared Jeffries said of Lin. “It is weird to have a guy come in and be your team leader who's bounced around. He inspires all of us to play harder because this kid gives his all on a daily basis.” Lin added a game-high eight assists and six rebounds for the Knicks, who rallied from an 11-point deficit to defeat the Timberwolves on Saturday. Iman Shumpert added 20 points for New York while Landry Fields contributed 19. Anthony has been sidelined with a groin strain while Stoudemire is out due to a death in the family. 76ers 99, Cavaliers 84: The well balanced Philadelphia 76ers easily defeated the under-manned Cleveland Cavaliers 99-84. Six players scored 10 or more points for the Atlantic Division leading 76ers (19-9) while the Cavaliers (10-16) were unable to overcome the absence of rookie guard Kyrie Irving who missed his third consecutive game with a concussion and center Anderson Varejao who has a right wrist injury. Mavericks 97, Blazers 94: Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points and Jason Terry added 19 as host Dallas won in double overtime. Shawn Marion had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks, who have won three in a row. The former Dallas-area high school star LaMarcus Aldridge had 33 points, including 15 during a fourth-quarter rally, and Jamal Crawford contributed 19 points for Portland. Magic 99, Bucks 94: Jason Richardson scored 28 of his season-high 31 points in the second half and made nine 3-pointers to lead visiting Orlando. Milwaukee limited Dwight Howard to 11 points and 14 rebounds, but had no defense for Richardson. Spurs 103, Nets 89: Gary Neal scored 18 points and Tim Duncan recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds as visiting San Antonio won its seventh in a row. Deron Williams scored 27 points and Kris Humphries added 15 for the Nets, who have lost six in a row and slipped to 3-10 at home. Nuggets 113, Pacers 109: Ty Lawson scored 27 points to help visiting Denver end a five-game losing streak. Arron Afflalo added 23 points and 5 rebounds, and Corey Brewer had 19 points and 5 rebounds in his first game back after missing three straight because of the death of his father. Clippers 111, Bobcats 86: Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan had double-doubles after three quarters for visiting Los Angeles. At 3-24, Charlotte's winning percentage (.125) equals that of the N.B.A.'s worst team in history, the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, who finished 9-72.
