MEMPHIS, Tenn, March 19 (Ticker) -- When another loss seemed inevitable, Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell made it seem like old times for the New York Knicks.

The jump-shooting duo sparked the Knicks with a series of jumpers down the stretch as the Knicks rallied for a 101-92 victory over the lowly Memphis Grizzlies.

Houston, whose knee had been bothering him since Saturday, led the Knicks with 26 points. Sprewell had 23 points, including a jumper that gave New York the lead for good, 87-85, with 4:53 left.

Clutching shooting has been rare for the Knicks this season. They trailed 85-75 before Houston and Sprewell brought New York all the way back by making jumpers on six consecutive possessions.

NBA TV highlights from Knicks-Grizzlies: 56k | 300k Latrell Sprewell led three Knicks in double figures in the fourth quarter with 12 points. Joe Murphy NBAE/Getty Images

A three-point play by Sprewell capped a 17-0 run that made it 92-85 with 3:57 remaining. During the run, the Grizzlies went scoreless for nearly four minutes.

Sprewell and Houston combined for 22 points in the fourth period, while former starting point guard Charlie Ward added 11 of his 13 points over the final 12 minutes.

"It was a dead game," Houston said. "It was a dead game until the fourth quarter. One team was just going to make a move and turn it up a notch and fortunately it was us."

"We're not happy about our year and the way it's going," Sprewell added. "But we're just trying to finish with the best possible record. It's all about pride and finishing strong.

However, Sprewell and New York coach Don Chaney concurred that Ward's defense turned the game in the Knicks' favor.

Ward came into the game with the Knicks trailing 65-55, with 4:48 left in the third quarter. After getting the Knicks below double digits for good with a 3-pointer at the 6:56 mark, he helped New York protect its lead by swarming Memphis point guard Jason Williams and forcing him into two turnovers.

"We weren't playing well defensively and then Charlie came in and did a great job," Sprewell said. "I think we kind of fed off of him."

"We were spinning our wheels and we had to get in gear," Chaney said. "We to get in gear on defense. I thought that was the key. When we play good defense our offense automatically clicks."

New York was able to rally despite another poor shooting performance. The Knicks primarily a jump-shooting team, clicked at under 40 percent (33-of-83).

But New York rebounded from its 23 percent third quarter and shot 58 percent during the fourth quarter.

Tony Massenburg scored 19 points for the Grizzlies, who were trying for their first series sweep of the Knicks. Williams added 17 points for Memphis but committed eight of the team's 17 turnovers.

The Knicks also didn't have to worry about rookie Shane Battier, who had 14 points through three quarters. Battier was held scoreless in the fourth quarter and did not get any good looks at the basket down the stretch.

It was Battier who made the game-winning jumper with 10 seconds left in New York's 90-88 loss at home on December 20.

"These games are tough," Battier said. "We had our chances again and again. We just let them slip away. I don't know how to explain it."