Russell Westbrook missed a jumper at the buzzer, with Frank Ntilikina defending him, and the New York Knicks held on to beat the Houston Rockets 125-123 at Madison Square Garden. New York’s victory snapped Houston’s six-game winning streak.
Ntilikina was excellent defensively all game, and chipped in offensively. He finished with 11 points, four assists and two steals.
RJ Barrett played well too. He tied his career high with 27 points, including a clutch bucket to extend the Knicks one-point lead to three with 7.6 seconds remaining in the game. He also had five rebounds and five assists.
The Knicks took advantage of the Rockets small lineup and dominated them on the glass, finishing with 65 rebounds to the Rockets 34.
New York has won two consecutive games and will try to extend the streak at home against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Houston will return home and take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
