DENVER, April 2 (Ticker) -- Travis Knight's best game of the season could not have come at a better time.

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Knight scored eight of his season-high 10 points in the fourth quarter as the New York Knicks rallied for an 83-75 victory over the woeful Denver Nuggets that snapped a three-game slide and kept alive their slim playoff hopes.

An extra big man who only plays due to injuries or foul trouble, the 7-foot Knight fueled a 17-3 surge that started the fourth quarter and turned a six-point deficit into a 73-63 lead.

"I'm here to play," Knight said. "When they play me, I go in and play. If not, it's a coach's decision."

"Travis Knight stepped up big-time," Knicks coach Don Chaney said. "I was surprised he was able to contribute as long as he did tonight. He was very active and very alert defensively."

Knight made all three of his shots and 4-of-5 free throws while pulling down five rebounds in 16 minutes. He filled in nicely for Othella Harrington, who did not play after suffering a foot injury during pregame warmups.

"It took me a little bit to get my timing back," Knight said. "We had a lot of people hurt, so we can't even practice long. I got fouled right away and got to make some free throws, which helped."

"Travis played great on both ends of the floor, rebounding and playing solid defense," said Knicks center Kurt Thomas, who made just 4-of-15 shots. "He put the ball in the hole for us."

Allan Houston scored 27 points for the Knicks (33-42), who remained 3 1/2 games behind Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. They have just seven games remaining, including the next three on the road.

Juwan Howard had 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Nuggets, who managed just 13 points in the final period, making 5-of-19 shots - including just one in the first 10 minutes.

Nuggets reserve center Marcus Camby scored 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting in his first game against his former team. Camby was traded to Denver last June in the deal that brought Antonio McDyess to New York.

"I played with a lot of emotion tonight. We all wanted this win," Camby said. "It was great to see all the old guys again, but I really wanted to win this one."

The Nuggets were in position to do that, holding a 62-56 lead entering the fourth quarter. But an 8-0 burst capped by Shandon Anderson's dunk gave the Knicks a 64-62 lead.

Howard made a jumper and rookie Nene Hilario's free throw forged a 65-65 tie. But Houston sank a jumper, Knight converted a three-point play and jumper and Charlie Ward hit a free throw for a 73-65 lead with 3:45 to go.

Denver got no closer than six points thereafter.

"We need people to step up," Chaney said. "Travis did it tonight. Hopefully, he can do it again."

"I think we are a tired team right now, both mentally and physically," Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "We have played four games in five nights. That is very hard to do with a lot of young players."

Latrell Sprewell scored 16 points and Thomas added 13 for New York, which shot 41.5 percent (27-of-65) and made 26-of-31 free throws.

Rodney White, who vomited on the court when the Nuggets visited the Knicks in January, scored 14 points. Denver shot 42 percent (34-of-81) but missed all seven 3-pointers and made just 7-of-13 foul shots.

Houston scored 16 points and Sprewell 12 in the first half, helping the Knicks to a 43-40 lead.