Linsanity strikes again! Lin's late heroics rescue Knicks

KNICKS 90

RAPTORS 87

Jeremy Lin mania took another dramatic turn Tuesday night. With the Knicks trailing for pretty much the entire game, and with Lin struggling both offensively and in his adjustments to playing with power forward Amar'e Stoudemire, the kid from Harvard still found a way to stick the dagger through the hearts of the Raptors and their fans with a last second three-pointer to send Knicks fans into hysteria.

After New York had trimmed the Raptors' lead to two points, 78-76 with 6:52 remaining in the game, Toronto went on a furious 8-3 run led by two baskets by Leonard Barbosa. The Knicks were tripping all over themselves at this point as Lin missed a couple free throws, and Tyson Chandler missed a pair of foul shots, preventing the Knicks from getting closer.

It appeared all was lost until a Landry Fields two pointer, off a rebound, and a Stoudemire jump shot cut the deficit to four points, 86-82, with 2:39 remaining. Now the Knicks showed some semblance of life, but they needed to play defense. The Knicks forced a Toronto turnover and converted it into points on a long range two pointer by Iman Shumpert, making it a one possession game, 87-84.

After Chandler blocked a Toronto shot, Lin drove through the lane and nailed the basket, getting fouled hard to the floor. Lin, who had struggled from the free throw line all night, hit the the foul shot to tie the game at 87.

With time ticking down, Leonard Barbosa missed a 26 foot jumper for the Raptors that would have sealed the deal, and the Knicks pounced on the ball. Shumpert's attempted shot was wide, but Chandler lept into the air and kicked it out to Lin, who held it for the final shot. He directed the offense to back up to the net as the clock ticked down to 8,7,6,5. Then the underdog took his shot - a three pointer; the shot sank right through the hoop for the victory with 0:00.5 left on the clock.

Even though the Knicks were on the road, the entire stadium broke into cheers since Lin had delivered yet another improbable victory. Box score.  The Knicks have now won six in a row, and head home for a five game home stand that starts Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings.