New York 99, Utah 88

Jeremy Lin put up his second straight career-best performance with 28 points and eight assists in leading the shorthanded New York Knicks to a 99-88 victory over the visiting Utah Jazz on Monday.

Amare Stoudemire missed the game following the death of his brother and Carmelo Anthony exited in the first quarter with a groin strain, leaving the Knicks without their All-Stars.

Lin, a Harvard product, finally got some playing time and registered 25 points and seven assists in a win over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday and proved it was no fluke on Monday. Lin went 10 for 17 from the floor and drew MVP chants from the Madison Square Garden crowd.

Steve Novak was on the receiving end of several kick-out passes and knocked down five 3-pointers, finishing with 19 points, and Jared Jeffries collected 13 points and eight rebounds for New York.

Lin converted a pair of three-point plays in the fourth quarter to keep the Knicks on top. The Jazz cut it to 92-86 with 2:24 left when Lin brought the crowd to its feet, burying a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired.

Al Jefferson scored 22 points and Raja Bell added 15 for Utah.

• New York will play their next game on the road against Washington. The Knicks have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .333 after a loss.
• Utah will play their next game on the road against Indiana . The Jazz have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .667 after a loss.