NEW YORK - New York Knicks fans will get something extra for their money after seven straight losing campaigns - free food and nonalcoholic drinks Monday during the last home game of the season.

All fans attending the game against the Boston Celtics will get the freebies at the arena's concession stands, the team said. Vendors also will walk around the arena distributing items such as hot dogs, pretzels, soda and water.

The price of all this merriment? Watching Isiah Thomas coach a miserable team.

In what may have been the most limited vote of confidence ever, new team president Donnie Walsh said Thomas will be able to coach the rest of the season, which ends next Wednesday.

However, Walsh also said he wants Thomas to explain why this team, with the NBA's second-highest payroll, has failed so miserably.

Last night, the Knicks (23-56) posted a 109-107 home win over Charlotte. Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 18 points; Jason Richardson had 25 for the Bobcats.

Other games

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Phoenix gained ground on the Lakers in the Pacific Division with a decisive victory over San Antonio.

Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 21 points; Tim Duncan put up 23 for the Spurs.

Wizards 109, Celtics 95

WASHINGTON - Antawn Jamison returned from a shoulder injury to score 27 points, including a highlight, baseline dunk over Kevin Garnett, as Washington beat Boston to stay in front of the 76ers.

Jamison also pulled down 11 rebounds.

Raptors 111, Bucks 93

TORONTO - Chris Bosh had 32 points and 11 rebounds as Toronto ended a three-game losing streak by beating Milwaukee.

Former Raptor Charlie Villanueva had a season-high 38 points; he scored 25 of Milwaukee's first 29 points.

Hornets 122, T'wolves 90

MINNEAPOLIS - Chris Paul had 19 points and 16 assists as New Orleans blew out Minnesota to stay No. 1 in the Western Conference.

Peja Stojakovic scored 24 points and David West had 22 for the Hornets, who scored just 66 points in an ugly loss to Utah on Tuesday.

Rockets 103, Sonics 80

HOUSTON - Playing without Tracy McGrady (sore shoulder) Houston kept its place in the tightly bunched Western Conference by dispatching Seattle.

Rafer Alston (hamstring) returned to action for Houston and scored 18 points.

Cavaliers 104, Nets 83

CLEVELAND - Aching back and all, LeBron James helped Cleveland rally by New Jersey. James, who didn't practice Monday and Tuesday because of back spasms, scored 33 points as the Cavaliers overcame a 14-point deficit.

Magic 115, Bulls 83

ORLANDO, Fla. - Dwight Howard had 30 points and 14 rebounds to help Orlando rout Chicago. He played with six stitches in his upper lip, the result of a collision in practice Tuesday with backup Marcin Gortat.