Tim Thomas got a lucky bounce on a 3-pointer from the corner as the final buzzer sounded, giving the Knicks a 102-99 victory over the Charlotte Bob cats last night.

Thomas’s shot was short, hit the iron, and bounced 4 feet above the rim before caroming off the top of the backboard and dropping through to give New York just its fourth victory in its past 22 games.

A loss against Charlotte would have been a new low in a season of disappointment for the Knicks, especially with the expansion Bobcats missing two starters and losing a third to injury.

But the Bobcats nearly pulled off what would have been just their third road victory of the season, coming back in the fourth quarter from a 10-point deficit, then falling behind by seven before making a final push to tie it again in the final minute.

Jamal Crawford led New York with 23 points, Stephon Marbury had 16, and Michael Sweetney and Penny Hardaway each came off the bench to score 14.

Jason Hart led the Bobcats with 17 points, playing the final 21 minutes after starting point guard Brevin Knight sprained his ankle. Charlotte has dropped six straight to fall to 10-38.

The Knicks used a 6-0 run to take a 97-90 lead with 2:26 left, but Bernard Robinson had a three-point play and Jason Hart and Robinson made 3-pointers in a 9-2 run that tied it at 99 with 49 seconds left.

Thomas missed a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left, and Robinson had an open look but missed a driving layup with 13 seconds remaining. That gave the Knicks a chance to hold for the last shot, and Thomas made it – although he was so stunned when the bounce went his way that he actually began laughing.

The Bobcats were without regular starters Emeka Okafor (sprained ankle) and Primoz Brezec (bruised knee), forcing Melvin Ely to start at center and power forward Theron Smith to make his first career start. Smith grabbed eight rebounds in the game’s first 9 minutes but then got into foul trouble and didn’t grab another.

The big man shortage left the Bobcats using guards Steve Smith and Robinson at center during the third quarter. The Knicks repeatedly pounded the ball inside to Sweetney – listed as 50 pounds heavier than Smith and 60 pounds heavier than Robinson – but he had only limited success.

Charlotte trailed just 79-70 entering the fourth quarter, and a 9-0 run ending with Gerald Wallace’s steal and a 15-footer by Robinson tied it at 89.

Charlotte used its 16th different starting lineup. New York activated point guard Moochie Norris and placed guard Jamison Brewer on the injured list.