NEW YORK (Ticker) -- It is not a coincidence that the New York Knicks have produced their best stretch of the season as Dikembe Mutombo has lifted his game.
Mutombo again made an impression with 13 points, 12 rebounds, a season-high five blocked shots and two steals as the Knicks held on for a 79-74 victory over the New Orleans Hornets.
The 7-2 center has averaged 12 points, 11.2 rebounds and three blocks while New York has won four of five games after starting the season 3-9. Mutombo had nine points and five rebounds in a tight first quarter Saturday.
"If I can give my contribution on the defensive end, I think I can help us win," he said. "The coaches are asking me to control the paint. I'm also feeling much better (after a groin injury)."
Mutombo gave New York the lead for good, 36-34, with 4:20 left in the second quarter with a pair of free throws. The Knicks went into halftime with a 42-37 advantage and held on to win consecutive home games for the first time this season.
"I'm really amazed with his ability to score," New York coach Don Cheaney said. "He's a great defender, a great rebounder and a great shot-blocker. But it's great for us (that he) scores as well. He's very solid inside; he makes things happen in there."
After being held to just eight points and 19 minutes Thursday due to recurring back problems, Allan Houston scored 18 points in 41 minutes Saturday.
"I think the most encouraging thing is we are learning how to win games," said Houston, who shot just 8-of-20 from the field. "We have to continue doing what we're doing. The nights we take care of the ball and play together and get easy baskets are the nights we have a chance to win."
Kurt Thomas added 14 points and 12 rebounds and Charlie Ward chipped in 11 points for the Knicks. Second-leading scorer Keith Van Horn also returned after missing five games with a sprained right ankle and managed seven points and four rebounds in 22 minutes.
"In terms of cutting, I'm really tentative right now," he said. "Hopefully, I'll have a good practice tomorrow. It will be my first practice in two weeks. I think over the course of the next couple of weeks, you're going to see the healthiest Knick team you've seen in a few years."
New York started the second half with a 13-6 run, taking its largest lead at 55-43 with 6:54 left in the third quarter. New Orleans got within 77-74 with seven seconds left on a 3-pointer by Baron Davis, but the Knicks made 2-of-4 free throws in the last six seconds to seal it.
David Wesley scored 16 points and Davis added 13 on 5-of-22 shooting and 10 assists for the Hornets, who shot just 32 percent (29-of-91) en route to only their third loss in their last nine games.
"You never think you're going to shoot like that," Davis said. "Our job is to go out and get a bunch of easy baskets and we were unable to do that today. When we did get inside the lane, Mutombo was a factor, because of his length and size. I thought that was the difference."
