Brooklyn Nets an infrequent tradition on Christmas
By Phil Watson
Dec. 25, 1983: King takes over in OT
After the New Jersey Nets erased a 16-point deficit, Bernard King made sure the visiting Nets wouldn’t spoil the New York Knicks’ Christmas at Madison Square Garden again, scoring five of his game-high 29 points in overtime to pace New York to a 112-110 victory.
King out-dueled New Jersey guard Otis Birdsong, who finished with 27 points and seven assists for the Nets.
New Jersey trailed by 16 in the third quarter before rallying back to within seven at 81-74 by the end of the period.
Mike Gminski forced overtime for the Nets with a short jumper with 13 seconds remaining. Buck Williams finished with 14 points, 18 rebounds and three steals for New Jersey and Darryl Dawkins had 15 points and three blocks.
Ray Williams helped the Knicks with 21 points, three steals and two blocks, while Truck Robinson had 17 points and 14 rebounds. Rory Sparrow dished out 12 assists.
The season ended in the Eastern Conference semifinals for both teams.
The Knicks knocked off the Detroit Pistons before falling to the eventual champion Boston Celtics, while the Nets stunned the defending champion Philadelphia 76ers with three road wins in Round 1 before losing to the Milwaukee Bucks.