NEW YORK, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Four free throws from Marco Belinelli and Jarrett Jack over the final 25 seconds Friday allowed the New Orleans Hornets to down New York 89-85.
The Hornets cooled off New York and newly emerged star Jeremy Lin, winning for just the seventh time this season. New Orleans, however, has captured three in a row for the first time this year.
New York had won seven straight, the last six victories coming after Lin had been given a starting role for the first time in his career.
Lin became an instant hero by averaging 24 points in those six starts and he scored 26 points Friday. But he turned the ball over eight times in the first half from the point guard position and missed a 3-pointer late in the game that would have tied the contest.
Lin brought the Knicks within three by hitting two free throws with 27 seconds left, but Belinelli then made a pair of foul shots and Steve Novak missed a 3-point try for New York.
Jack's two free throws with 15 seconds remaining boosted the New Orleans lead to six.
Trevor Ariza led New Orleans with 25 points and Belinelli had 17.
Amare Stoudemire added 26 points for the Knicks along with 12 rebounds.
It was the first New Orleans win over the Knicks in seven meetings.
