For the second straight game, Jamal Crawford proved his value in the clutch.

With coach Larry Brown frantically calling for him to rush upcourt to make sure of getting off a last-second shot, a confident Crawford took his time and got the look he wanted.

Covered only by Stephen Jackson, Crawford went up for a 22-foot jumper just left of the top of the key, and it looked good all the way as it dropped through with five-tenths of a second left to give the Knicks a 98-96 victory over Indiana Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

Coming on the heels of the falling-down 17-footer Crawford hit Wednesday to beat Cleveland, Brown was asked if he expects Crawford to make those shots.

"I haven't gotten to that point yet, but I know he's not afraid to take it," Brown said. "I was a little nervous that he walked it up, but it was a great win."