NEW YORK - The New York Knicks blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter but held their nerve to edge the Memphis Grizzlies 118-117 in a triple overtime thriller on Wednesday.

New York Knicks' David Lee (rear) reaches over Memphis Grizzlies' Kyle Lowry as they go for a rebound in the first overtime of NBA play in Memphis, Tennessee November 1, 2006. The Knicks won 118-117. [Reuters]

Quentin Richardson scored 31 points and hit two free throws with 12 seconds left in the third overtime to finally give the Knicks the victory in both teams' season opener.

The Knicks, won fired head coach Larry Brown at the end of last season, gave new coach Isiah Thomas a thrilling debut win.

Eddy Curry added 17 points and had 14 rebounds for the Knicks, while Jamal Crawford scored 21 points and David Lee contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Chucky Atkins led the Grizzlies with 25 points, Hakim Warrick added 22 points and Rudy Gay had 21 points.

*Allan Iverson scored 32 points and Samuel Dalembert added 11 points and 11 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Atlanta Hawks 88-75 in Philadelphia. The 76ers all-time record in opening night games improved to 39-19.

*In Orlando, Dwight Howard had 27 points and 11 rebounds as the Magic routed the Chicago Bulls 109-94. Chicago beat the defending champion Miami heat by 42 points on opening night Tuesday.

*Chris Paul had 20 points and 10 assists as the New Orleans Hornets beat the Boston Celtics.

*Larry Hughes scored 27 points and LeBron James added 26 as the Cavaliers edged the Washington Wizards 97-94 in Cleveland.