Red-hot Jeremy Lin posted a "double-double" of 23 points and 10 assists to help the New York Knicks to a 107-93 NBA victory over the Washington Wizards.
Lin, the first American of Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA, had captivated tough New York fans with two stellar performances at Madison Square Garden on Saturday and Monday.
On Wednesday he conquered a new city as a pro-Knicks crowd in the Wizards' home arena cheered him -- some waving Taiwanese flags -- from the moment he was introduced before the game.
"I try to stay away from it," Lin said before the game. "The most important thing is we have two straight wins and we're trying to get the third."
Then he went out and helped the Knicks do just that, despite the absence of injured Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, who is with family after the death of his brother.
Lin's 10 assists were a career high and his ability to find his open teammates contributed to the Knicks' having five players score in double figures.
Veteran Tyson Chandler led the Knicks with 25 points. Steve Novak scored 19 points, including 15 in the first half.
Lin got off to a slow start. He was scoreless when he left the court late in the first quarter with his chin cut from a collision with Wizards star John Wall.
He finished by playing 35 minutes, shooting 9-of-14 from the floor. He made 5-of-6 free throws and grabbed four rebounds.
The Lin phenomenon has grown quickly since his 25-point performance off the bench against New Jersey on Saturday, followed by a career-best 28 points in a Knicks win over Utah on Monday -- his first NBA start.
Such was the interest in Lin from Asian media outlets that the Wizards' public relations staff opened the arena's ice hockey press box for extra press seating.
Lin's timing could not be better, not only for the Knicks but for his own job security with Friday the deadline for contracts to become guaranteed for the season.
If not for his recent exploits, Lin might have been waived and brought back on a 10-day contract.
"I guess I need to find a place then," quipped Lin, who has been living with his brother in New York. "I'm obviously very thankful."
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