Thanks to a fling-it-and-hope, buzzer-beating, 25-foot shot in overtime, the Miami Heat finally ended their regular season jinx against the New York Knicks.
Now, if only Miami could do the same in the playoffs.
Tim Hardaway's desperation 3-pointer, with the Knicks' Chris Childs all over him, rattled through the rim Sunday, allowing Miami to close in on its fourth consecutive Atlantic Division title by beating New York 95-94.
"This obviously puts them way out in front," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said.
Miami leads New York by three games in the Atlantic with six to play and holds the tiebreaker edge: The win gave Miami the season series for the first time, 3-1.
The win was Miami's season-high seventh straight and the team's 19th in 20 home games. Both of those streaks bode well for the upcoming playoffs.
The Heat trailed most of the game, and each team lost a lead in the final three minutes of regulation. Childs' 3-point basket with 12 seconds left forced the extra period.
In overtime, Ewing converted a three-point play to put New York ahead, then scored with a rebound for a 93-90 lead with 1:40 to go. Childs made one of two free throws with six seconds remaining for a 94-92 lead, setting the stage for Hardaway.
"That shot was up there a long time," Heat forward P.J. Brown said. "It was like 'Hoosiers.' You hear the music — I can't hum it, but it's like a harp and a violin.
"It was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen."
MAGIC 92, SIXERS 80: Orlando continued its push for a playoff berth, closing a 7-1 homestand by holding Philadelphia's Allen Iverson to six points in the first half and 18 for the game.
HORNETS 96, PACERS 80: Eddie Jones, Derrick Coleman and Elden Campbell each scored 19 points as Charlotte, at home, clinched a playoff berth by snapping a two-game losing slide.
Jalen Rose scored 18 points for Indiana, which had won four straight.
SUNS 102, KINGS 97:Penny Hardaway had 25 points, 12 rebounds and six assists as Phoenix completed a four-game season sweep at Sacramento and snapped a two-game slide.
SPURS 107, GRIZZLIES 99: Tim Duncan had 31 points and 11 rebounds and San Antonio won on the road for the second straight night to stay a half-game behind fourth-place Phoenix in the Western Conference standings.
WARRIORS 117. NUGGETS 103: Larry Hughes had a career-high 44 points and host Golden State scored a season-high 41 in the first quarter to end an 11-game losing slide.
Antonio McDyess led Denver with 25 points and 12 rebounds.