John Starks scored 10 of New York's last 11 points - including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 48 seconds remaining - and the Knicks beat the Phoenix Suns 103-99 Thursday night.
Charles Barkley, who was held out of the Suns' previous game to rest a sore back, had 28 points and eight rebounds. Barkley was held out of the Suns' previous exhibition game to rest his sore back.Patrick Ewing led New York (6-1) with 30 points but was ejected in the final minute of the third quarter for what officials said was a flagrant elbowing violation. Knicks coach Pat Riley was given two technical fouls and ejected for arguing the call.
Danny Ainge made all four free throws following those ejections to give the Suns (3-2) an 80-70 lead.
The teams were fined a combined $160,500 after their last regular-season game here, a 121-92 Phoenix victory on March 23. There were 12 technical fouls and six ejections in that game.
The 3-pointer by Starks gave the Knicks their first lead since the final four minutes of the first quarter.
Dan Majerle hit a three-pointer with 8.2 seconds remaining to bring the Suns to 100-99. But Starks made two free throws with 7.5 seconds remaining, and after Ainge missed a contested 3-pointer, Doc Rivers made a free throw with 2.5 seconds left.
Pacers 121, Hornets 113
In Carbondale, Ill., Reggie Miller scored 21 points, and Dale Davis had 13 of his 20 in the final period as the Indiana Pacers beat the Charlotte Hornets.
Miller scored 19 of his points in the first half as the Pacers took a 63-48 lead.
The Hornets played without injured Alonzo Mourning.
With Mourning missing, the Indiana defense was able to concentrate on Larry Johnson. He was held to 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting.
Bullets 98, Bucks 97
In Raleigh, N.C., Rex Chapman scored 24 points, and Tom Gugliotta celebrated a return to his alma mater by scoring 23 in leading the Washington Bullets to victory.
Todd Day led Milwaukee with 23 points, Ken Norman added 14 and Blue Edwards had 13.
Eric Murdock scored the Bucks' first seven points and finished with 11 in the first quarter, which ended with the Bucks leading 30-23.