Tim Thomas scored a season-high 35 points, and the Knicks recovered after blowing a 10-point lead in the final 46 seconds of regulation to defeat the Lakers 117-115 in overtime last night.

The victory was the third straight for the Knicks, matching their longest winning streak of the season. New York remained in last place in the Atlantic Division, but pulled within five games of the first-place Boston Celtics.

Kobe Bryant forced overtime by making a 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left in regulation, but he couldn’t come up with another big play at the end.

The Lakers had a chance for the final shot, but Bryant passed to Luke Walton on the left side of the key, and Walton tossed the ball back to Bryant rather than taking a shot. Bryant wasn’t expecting the pass and fumbled it briefly – just enough time for Kurt Thomas to recover and block Bryant’s look at the basket.

Bryant tried to dribble a few steps away for a buzzer-beater, but the clock ran out. He spiked the ball to the ground and shot an angry glance at Walton as the Knicks celebrated.

Michael Sweetney tied his career high with 19 points and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds, and Kurt Thomas had 15 points and 12 rebounds as New York’s front line dominated.

Bryant had 30 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and seven turnovers, and Lamar Odom had 26 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers.

Tim Thomas shot 13-for-19, including 4-for-5 from 3-point range, and topped 30 points for the first time this season as the Knicks won at home for the fifth straight time. Los Angeles has lost three in a row.

The Lakers opened a 115-111 lead midway through overtime on a three point play by Bryant, but they didn’t score again. Marbury’s layup was goal tended by Odom with 1:10 left, and Jamal Crawford came up with a steal while guarding Chucky Atkins.

Marbury missed a shot and Kurt Thomas missed a putback, but Tim Thomas converted a tip-in to tie it. Bryant lost control of the ball on the Lakers’ next possession, and Marbury was fouled on the perimeter by Atkins with 12.1 seconds remaining. Marbury made both foul shots for a 117-115 lead, setting up the Lakers’ final possession.

Los Angeles came back from a 10-point deficit in the final minute of regulation by hitting four 3-pointers – one each by Atkins, Odom, Caron Butler, and Bryant.

The final 3 by Bryant came after Marbury went to the line with 17.8 seconds remaining with a chance to put the Knicks ahead by four. Marbury missed the second of two from the line, and Bryant stuck a 25-footer over Kurt Thomas with 4.4 seconds remaining.