Keith Van Horn scored 28 points and former Illinois star Frank Williams had 14 in the first start of his NBA career at point guard as the New York Knicks earned their most lopsided victory of the season, 100-80 over the Miami Heat on Saturday night.
The Knicks scored 13 of the game’s first 15 points, then closed the third quarter with an 18-2 run to build their advantage to 83-59. Van Horn scored 17 points in the quarter, including all four of his three-pointers. Van Horn grabbed eight rebounds in 35 minutes and finished 4-for-6 from three-point range.
Williams was elevated to the starting lineup in place of Howard Eisley. Williams, who had 18 points and six assists in Friday night’s victory at Memphis, scored New York’s final seven points of the first half Saturday, including a buzzer-beating layup for a 52-42 lead.
“It feels good to start in the NBA,” Williams said. “It’s a dream come true. I just want to show what I can bring to this ballclub.”
Knicks coach Don Chaney declined to say whether Williams will stay in the starting lineup.
“I like what he did tonight,” Chaney said. “He got us off to a jump start. But his game shouldn’t change whether he starts or not.”
Allan Houston added 15 points for New York, which shot 51 percent. The Knicks came into the game with the fourth-lowest scoring average in the NBA (87.9) and reached 100 points for just the third time. Their previous largest victory margin was 11.
The Heat had won three in a row, and at home it had won five straight.
Lamar Odom scored 25 points for the Heat, which was without rookie starting guard Dwyane Wade, who sprained his right wrist in Friday’s victory at Washington. His status is day-to-day. Forward Samaki Walker was activated from the injured list by the Heat before the game.
Pacers’ Carlisle ejected
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was ejected in the third quarter of Saturday night’s 82-75 loss to the New Jersey Nets.
Carlisle became infuriated when referee Scott Wall called Jermaine O’Neal for a foul on Nets point guard Jason Kidd with 3:54 to play in the third quarter. Carlisle crossed the halfcourt line and berated Wall as Austin Croshere restrained him, prompting the official to issue two quick technical fouls.
Several Pacers argued with all three officials throughout the game. O’Neal drew a technical foul in the first quarter.
Associate head coach Mike Brown took over and benched every starter except for Jeff Foster, hoping to get a spark from Indiana’s reserves.
Archibald traded to Magic
Former Illinois star Robert Archibald was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Orlando Magic for a conditional 2005 second-round draft pick. The 6-foot-11-inch forward, who was acquired from Memphis on Sept. 30, appeared in only one game for the Suns, scoring one point.
RESULTS, SATURDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Washington 86 at Bulls 100
Complete coverage, Page 3
Detroit 87 at Atlanta 84
Ben Wallace’s 2 late free throws and block on Hawks’ next possession clinched it. Pistons’ Richard Hamilton scored 28. Jason Terry and Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 20 as Hawks lost 9th of 10.
New York 100 at Miami 80
Heat reserve forward Udonis Haslem sprained right knee and sat out 2nd half. Knicks, who play host to Heat Tuesday, had 11 turnovers, 6.4 fewer than NBA-leading average of 17.4.
New Jersey 82 at Indiana 75
Nets’ Jason Kidd got 56th career triple-double one night after 55th. Kidd had 16 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds–sixth triple-double of season. Kenyon Martin added 23 pts., 13 rebs.
Memphis 98 at Dallas 104
Michael Finley scored 24 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 18 points, 17 rebounds to lead Dallas. Grizzlies coach Hubie Brown, 70, needed medical attention but remained on bench.
Minnesota 104 at Seattle 86
Kevin Garnett had 28 points, 14 rebounds as Timberwolves ended string of five straight losses to SuperSonics. Ex-Bull Trenton Hassell held Sonics’ Ray Allen to 5-for-22 shooting night.
