Marbury is back, Knicks lose

Stefon Marbury (photo: Getti Images)

15-11-2007 11:46

The Knicks' rousing fourth-quarter comeback came up just short and the Los Angeles Clippers held on for an 84-81 victory on Wednesday night.

Marbury, back after going missing for one game and drawing a fine of more than $180,000, missed a couple of shots late in the game, but made a layup to draw the Knicks within 82-81 with seven seconds remaining.

Thomas, asked about playing Marbury instead of suspending him, said, "I've played with people I don't like and I've won with people I don't like. We're a professional basketball team and my job is trying to win a game. "Whatever happened in the past is in the past. We move forward."

Chris Kaman led Los Angeles with 14 points and 18 boards. Corey Maggette and Sam Cassell added 13 points apiece for the Clippers.

Zach Randolph had 16 points and 19 rebounds for New York, and Eddy Curry scored 16 and had 12 rebounds as the Knicks lost their fourth in a row. After Marbury's layup trimmed the deficit to a point, Maggette made a pair of free throws to cap the scoring. New York's Jamal Crawford missed from 30 feet at the buzzer.

Marbury's 3-point try with 45 seconds left would have given the Knicks the lead, but the ball went in and out of the rim. He missed a driving layup with 19 seconds remaining and New York trailing 82-79 before making his next layup for New York's final points.

The Clippers have beaten the Knicks nine in a row since shifting from the Los Angeles Sports Arena to Staples Center for the 1999-2000 season.