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Randolph helps Clippers outlast Knicks

Feb 12, 2009 - 7:18 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Nate Robinson was unbelievable, but it was a former member of the New York Knicks who had the last laugh.

Zach Randolph scored 22 points and came up big at crucial times to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 128-124 overtime victory over the slumping Knicks on Wednesday.

Making just his seventh start of the season and first at point guard in place of Chris Duhon, who missed the game after spraining his left ankle during Tuesday's loss to the Golden State Warriors, Robinson did everything for New York.

The 24-year-old had 33 points, a career-high 15 assists, nine rebounds and six steals while committing just a single turnover.

But Randolph, who was acquired by the Clippers in a four-player trade with the Knicks on November 25, hit 10-of-20 shots from the field, collecting four points and five of his 15 rebounds in OT after hitting the game-tying shot in regulation.

"I knew they were trying to make moves," Randolph said of the trade. "They wanted to go another direction. I was close to the guys. I knew the Clippers wanted me, so I am happy to be here. It worked out for me. I love LA.

"We played really hard in the fourth quarter. It wasn't just me, all the guys played hard. It was a great win."

The Knicks, who have lost six straight games, claimed a 110-107 lead with 25 seconds remaining in the fourth, when Al Harrington grabbed a rebound and followed with a dunk. However, Harrington's emotions got the best of him as he hung on the rim, slapped the backboard and was immediately whistled for a technical foul.

"Oh yeah, you can't slap the board and hang on the rim," New York coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It was a little bit of exuberance and he lost control a little bit."

"I was frustrated," Harrington said. "Sometimes, I think I get fouled more than I get called. On the dunk, I got hit in the face. I just hung on the rim and slapped the glass. ... No one dwelled on it, not even coach. He was like forget it and let's move on."

Steve Novak, who had a season-high 23 points, converted the free throw, and Randolph tied the score with a hook shot in the lane.

"We had a three-point lead. Obviously, it turned the game," Harrington said. "They only had to hit a two instead of a three. They were able to tie the game and go to overtime."

Robinson's desperation shot at the buzzer missed before Randolph opened overtime with a follow shot.

"We hadn't been finishing games very strong," Novak said. "We finished this one really strong. We had the momentum going into the overtime."

Novak's sixth 3-pointer of the game gave Los Angeles a five-point lead but Wilson Chandler, who finished with 27 points, countered with a three of his own to pull the Knicks back within 115-113.

"If you are at this level, at some point, you want the ball," Novak said. "You dream about taking those end of the game shots. I think the team has done a good job all year of finding the hot hand."

Rookie Eric Gordon, who led the Clippers with 30 points, hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession and, after a pair of free throws from Robinson and layup by Harrington, Randolph's layup stretched the bulge to 120-117 with 1:16 to play.

"Zach probably got frustrated in the first half because he was being double-teamed," Los Angeles coach Mike Dunleavy said. "He did a great job in the fourth. He got some great looks and took advantage of them."

Jared Jeffries hit two shots from the foul line to pull the Knicks within one point but a three-point play by Gordon and a 3-pointer by Baron Davis sandwiched around a layup by Robinson sealed the victory.