clarinews@clarinet.com (02/02/90)
NEW YORK (UPI) -- Patrick Ewing had 31 points and 9 rebounds Thursday night to pace the New York Knicks to a 96-89 triumph over the Sacramento Kings. Sacramento had rallied to take a 72-71 lead at the end of three quarters, but Ewing hit a basket to put the Knicks ahead to stay at 83-82 with 6:46 to play. Mark Jackson then passed to Ewing for a hook shot, and Charles Oakley hit a layup making it 87-82 with 5:16 left. Ewing finished with 12 points in the final period. Rodney McCray hit 2 free throws to cut the Sacramento deficit to 87-84, but Johnny Newman nailed a 3-point shot from outside, making it 90-84. Danny Ainge hit from the left corner for the Kings, reducing the deficit to 4 points, but Newman hit 2 free throws to make it 92-86 with 2:09 left. Newman finished with 19 points, Oakley l6 points and 16 rebounds, and Jackson 14 points for New York. Tisdale led Sacramento with 22 points, McCray had 19, and Ainge 15. With 3:48 left in the third period Knick coach Stu Jackson sent in Mark Jackson for Rod Strickland. Strickland, unhappy over being removed, kicked the rolled up towel that Stu Jackson uses to kneel on the sideline. Strickland played only 10 minutes in the game, scoring 2 points. Mark Jackson played 38 minutes, with 14 points, and 5 assists.