LOS ANGELES -- A busted play that was designed for Carmelo Anthony led to a Jose Calderon 3 with .02 ticks left to play, lifting the New York Knicks to a 90-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night at the Staples Center.
Calderon, a 10 year veteran point guard made his only 3 of the contest after missing his previous two attempts. Anthony, meanwhile, , while scattered 12 fourth quarter points to help New York improve to a 28-40 record for the season.
The Knicks led by as many as 16 points before the Lakers cut it down to five entering the fouth quarter and pulled ahead at 77-76 following a Lou Williams triple with 4:49 remaining. But the Lakers couldn't hold on as the Knicks outscored the hosts 14-10 the rest of the way.
Anthony finished with 12 rebounds and a game-high 26 points for New York while Robin Lopez added 16 and eight rebounds. Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis (stomach flu) did not play.
Lou Williams, who missed the previous five games due to a hamstring injury, topped the Lakers with 15 points off the bench. Kobe Bryant scored 14 including two-turnaround jumpers that gave the Lakers a four point lead with 1:31 to go.
Knicks president Phil Jackson who coached the Lakers to five NBA titles received a thunderous ovation when he was shown on the arena jumbotron during the game.
Photo: Carmelo Anthony (L) battles Kobe Bryant one last time at Staples Center where the Knicks beat the Lakers, 90-87.
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