Knicks End Skid, Thanks to Nailon

Lee Nailon gave the New York Knicks exactly what they missed during an 0-4 start -- a second offensive option at crunch time.

Nailon scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and the Knicks defeated Sacramento, 95-88, Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden to hand the Kings their first three-game losing streak in two seasons.

“The last two or three games our fourth quarters had been bad. I wanted to step up and let everyone know that we can win games,” Nailon said. “We’ve been in games, but have not put together a fourth quarter.”

Nailon signed with the Knicks after being released by New Orleans following an argument with Coach Paul Silas during an exhibition game. Nailon started 41 games for the Hornets last season when Jamal Mashburn was injured.

Allan Houston scored 21 points for the Knicks, who had six players in double figures. Chris Webber scored 22 points for the Kings, who played their fourth road game in five nights.

Milwaukee 99, New Jersey 93 -- Ray Allen scored 29 points and Toni Kukoc had 26 at Milwaukee, where the Bucks sent the Nets to their first loss.

The defending Eastern Conference champions were trying to start 5-0 for the first time in franchise history.

Jason Kidd led New Jersey with 24 points, but Richard Jefferson, averaging a team-high 17.3 points, was held to one point.

New Orleans 86, Seattle 84 -- Baron Davis had 23 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists at New Orleans, and the Hornets handed the SuperSonics their first loss.

Davis got the best of his showdown with fellow All-Star guard Gary Payton, who had 29 points and nine assists.

Dallas 106, Toronto 92 -- Dirk Nowitzki had 28 points and 13 rebounds at Toronto to help the Mavericks remain unbeaten.

Voshon Lenard scored 20 points for the Raptors, who were without the injured Vince Carter and Antonio Davis, and who played without starting center Jelani McCoy after the first quarter. McCoy left because of back spasms.

Washington 107, Cleveland 100 -- Jerry Stackhouse scored 35 points at Washington and the Wizards ended a two-game skid.

Stackhouse scored eight consecutive points in a game-opening 19-3 run.

Michael Jordan was 0 for 4 from the field after three quarters but averted the first scoreless game of his career with a jumper and an acrobatic move for a layup down the stretch. He finished with six points.

Boston 91, Chicago 69 -- Antoine Walker scored a season-high 22 points to spark the Celtics at Chicago.

The Bulls shot just under 30% from the field and committed 20 turnovers -- twice as many as the Celtics -- including five by rookie Jay Williams. Boston scored 22 points off the turnovers.

Detroit 80, Utah 78 -- Jon Barry made a three-point basket with 22.3 seconds left at Salt Lake City, and the Pistons took advantage of a rare night off for Karl Malone.

Malone, bothered by a head cold and held scoreless Sunday at Seattle for the first time in his career, sat out for only the 10th time.

Phoenix 93, Atlanta 88 -- Penny Hardaway scored 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Suns rally from a 14-point deficit at Phoenix.

Shawn Marion had 26 points and nine rebounds to help end Atlanta’s three-game winning streak.

Portland 94, Memphis 88 -- Rasheed Wallace had 18 points and eight rebounds for the Trail Blazers at Portland, Ore.

Memphis (0-5) is the league’s only winless team.