New York 110, Memphis 108: The Knicks nearly wasted a 17-point lead, but Carmelo Anthony saved the day with a step-back jumper in Tony Allen’s face with :00.5 left. Melo proceeded to shout to the Memphis bench, “I do this.” Favorite number about the win: 31 assists (Toney Douglas had 10) on 47 baskets. Billups didn’t play. Bizzaro: Knicks 12-of-24 from three, only 4-of-4 on free throws; Grizzlies 3-of-5 from three, 33-of-35 on free throws. Memphis continues to play its best ball of the season without its $81 million man.

LA Clippers 108, Boston 103: The same Mo Williams famous for playoff chokes with the Cavs scored 28 points and DeAndre Jordan added 21 as the Paper Clips, normally inept on the road, shocked the Celtics in the Garden, where they have the 3rd best home record in the league. Kevin Garnett, perhaps hoping to beat up on Blake Griffin, attempted an uncharacteristic 19 shots. He’s only attempted that many once this season (20 on Nov. 8 vs Dallas). Doc Rivers made a crying joke.

Oklahoma City 110, Philadelphia 105: Kevin Durant curled off a screen and drained a 3-pointer with :06 left to send the game to overtime. In OT, KD (34 points, 16 rebounds) and Russell Westbrook (27 points, 12 assists) knocked the 76ers 1.5 games back of the Knicks in the battle for the 6th spot in the East. Still haven’t seen the best the Thunder have to offer – with Perkins and Robinson injured – but Nazr looked decent starting (8 points, 6 rebounds in 19 minutes), and Nick Collison was strong off the bench (13-10 in 31 minutes). Throw in Ibaka and Perkins and the Thunder have enough to get to the Western Conference Finals.

Orlando 106, Sacramento 102: At least they didn’t lose again to the Tyreke Evans-less Kings. Gilbert Arenas was turnover-free in 17 minutes (12 points).

Dallas 92, New Orleans 93: The reeling Hornets, playing without Chris Paul, dominated the 4th quarter and stunned the unimpressive Mavericks at home. (If the season ended today, these two would play in the first round.) Trevor Ariza was 0-10 in 40 minutes. He played better as a reserve with the Lakers two years ago than he has as a starter.

Chicago 101, Charlotte 84: Was prepared to skip this game, but then I saw Gerald Henderson get all circus-y and score another 20 points, I figured I might as well make the Duke contingent happy. And now, the bad news: Carlos Boozer tweaked an ankle. X-Rays were negative (wipes brow). I’ve got the Bulls in the Finals – assuming they can stay ALL stay healthy.

Utah 96, Toronto 94: DeMar DeRozan has some Vince Carter in him, right? Kid’s gonna get paid in a few years. If he ever gets a reliable jumper (4-for-16 last night, attempted only 32 three-pointers this year), you could be looking at a Tracy McGrady-type player.