The post-Patrick Ewing era began with the New York Knicks looking like they didn’t even miss the big guy.
Playing their first game since Ewing’s season-ending injury, the Knicks came out with hustle, aggression and a surprisingly strong inside game as they defeated the Dallas Mavericks 79-67 Monday night in Madison Square Garden.
“I really was encouraged,” forward/center Buck Williams said. “I didn’t know how we’d react offensively without Pat in the lineup, but we really moved the ball well instead of dumping it into the low post.
“It was kind of interesting basketball, kind of exciting–getting back to the basics of passing and cutting and doing other things to open the floor up.”
Larry Johnson had 18 points and eight rebounds, making six of his eight baskets from in close, Allan Houston had a team-high 19 points, John Starks had 13 and Williams came off the bench to score 12.
The Knicks, despite Ewing’s absence, were dominant in the paint as they outscored the Mavericks 44-16 from inside.
Lakers 94, Rockets 83: Kobe Bryant scored 19 points and Eddie Jones had nine of his 17 points in an early third-quarter charge for the Lakers in Houston.
All of Los Angeles’ starters scored in double figures along with sixth-man Bryant, the NBA’s top non-starting scorer.
The Lakers beat the Rockets for the third straight time this season.
Jazz 101, Hawks 99: In Atlanta, Karl Malone scored 27 points, including a clinching jumper with 32.6 seconds remaining, and the Jazz handed the Hawks their third straight loss.
Malone, leading the Jazz in scoring for the 25th consecutive game, had 11 points in the fourth quarter.
The Jazz led 98-95 after Christian Laettner hit a pair of free throws for the Hawks. With the crowd of 28,371 cheering for a defensive stop, Utah ran down the shot clock and got the ball in Malone’s hands. He faked Laettner into the air and hit a jumper for a 100-95 lead.
Nets 99, Magic 88: Sam Cassell had 28 points, six assists and five steals to lead the Nets to victory in Orlando. Cassell and rookie Keith Van Horn sparked a decisive 13-0 run that started at the end of the third quarter.
Hornets 81, Raptors 79: In Charlotte, Glen Rice missed nine of his 15 field-goal attempts before winning the game on a tip-in at the buzzer. Rice wound up with 16 points to complete Charlotte’s comeback from a 12-point deficit and help the Hornets send the Raptors to their 11th loss in 12 road games.
Pistons 96, 76ers 92: Grant Hill scored 22 points as the visiting Pistons overcame a 21-point, second-half deficit. Ex-76er Jerry Stackhouse scored 17 points and made a key block against Tim Thomas with 6.4 seconds left.
Wizards 110, Bucks 79: Juwan Howard scored 25 points and Chris Webber added 23 in Milwaukee as the Wizards extended their season-high winning streak to five games. Glenn Robinson paced the Bucks with 22 points.
Suns 91, Warriors 76: Cedric Ceballos scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter as the host Suns won their third game in a row.
Kings 89, Timberwolves 79: Mitch Richmond scored 27 points for the host Kings, who had a decisive 8-0 run that gave them a 75-66 lead.
