NEW YORK -- The lastest victory in the New York Knicks' 10-game winning streak -- their longest since 1972-1973 -- will be remembered as the sweetest. The Chicago Bulls, to no one's surprise, gave them the toughest fight they have seen during the streak, and the Knicks fended it off with stunning ease.


The Knicks owned the final five minutes. They opened up an ever-tightening game by outscoring the three-time champions 11-4 during a critical three minute run, riding strong defense and clutch shooting to an 87-78 win on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.


Hubert Davis scored 24 points, including a 3-pointer with 1:51 left that capped a 7-0 run, and the Knicks pulled into a tie with Atlanta for the best record in the Eastern Conference.


They limited the Bulls to 41 percent shooting for the game and 32 percent (12-for-37) in the second half, when Chicago scored just 34 points.


Scottie Pippen led the Bulls with 25 points, but made just 10 of his 24 shots. Horace Grant finished with 17 for Chicago, and Patrick Ewing had 18 points on 7-for-22 shooting for New York.


Cavaliers 93, Pacers 61. In Cleveland, the Cavs held Indiana to its lowest NBA point total ever Tuesday night. The 61 points matched the third fewest by an NBA team since the 24-second clock was introduced in 1954. The lowest output was 57 by Milwaukee against Boston in 1955.


Terrell Brandon scored 15 points to lead a balanced effort by the Cavaliers, who snapped a five-game losing streak. Danny Ferry, Chris Mills and Gerald Wilkins each scored 13 points for Cleveland, while Mark Price and John Williams each had 11.


Nets 105, Clippers 102. Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson each scored 25 points as the Nets got their sixth straight home victory.


P. J. Brown scored six of his 12 points in the final 1:44 and grabbed 16 rebounds for the Nets, who have won 14 of their last 16 at home. Dominique Wilkins led the Clippers with 33 points.


Timberwolves 83, Rockets 81. In Minneapolis, Chris Smith rebounded his own miss and scored the game-winning basket with five seconds left.


The loss halted a five-game winning streak by the Rockets, who lost for only the third time this season after taking a lead into the fourth quarter.


Hornets 125, 76ers 91. In Charlotte, North Carolina, Alonzo Mourning and Dell Curry scored 24 points apiece as the Hornets won by its largest margin of the season. Charlotte has won six of its last eight games, but still trails New Jersey by five games for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.


The Hornets, worst defensive team in the NBA, have held their opponent under 100 points in five of the six wins.


Philadelphia's Moses Malone scored nine points to move into third-place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. He now has 27,314 points, passing Elvin Hayes on the career list.


Suns 124, Heat 118, OT. In Phoenix, A.C. Green had seven points and three rebounds in overtime as the Suns, who trailed by 18 points in the third quarter, rallied to beat Miami.


Kevin Johnson sparked the comeback, scoring 24 of his 35 points in the second half and overtime.


Nuggets 108, Bucks 94. In Denver, Mahmoud Abdul Rauf scored 22 points and Dikembe Mutombo had 14 rebounds and six blocks as the Nuggets beat Milwaukee.


LaPhonso Ellis had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who outscored the Bucks 33-18 in the third quarter to take command.


(Newsday, AP)