Sprewell Scores 31 Again to Help Knicks to 2-0 Lead

ATLANTA — Latrell Sprewell carried the offensive load by himself this time.

Allan Houston didn’t come close to duplicating his 34-point performance of Game 1, but Sprewell scored 31 for the second consecutive game Thursday night and the New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 77-70, for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal matchup.

After winning both games at the Georgia Dome, the Knicks are heading home with a chance to sweep the series. Game 3 is Sunday at Madison Square Garden, with Game 4 on Monday night.

“It’s been great,” said Sprewell, who was suspended most of last season after choking his former coach, P.J. Carlesimo. “Back then, I didn’t think I would be in this position. It’s nice to win in the playoffs. I’ve not experienced that before. I hope it continues.”

Around the League

Guard Darrell Armstrong of the Orlando Magic won the NBA’s most-improved-player award, making him the first to win both that honor and the sixth-man award. . . . The NBA Players Assn. said it filed a grievance on behalf of the New York Knicks’ Latrell Sprewell, who was fined $25,000 by the Knicks for comments attributed to his agent. Robert Gist was quoted last month saying his client would demand a trade if he wasn’t made a starter next season.