NBA ROUNDUP : O’Neal Blocks Knicks’ Attempt to Extend Streak

Shaquille O’Neal worked hard to get Patrick Ewing into foul trouble, then took advantage of the opportunity when Ewing had to leave Sunday’s game between the Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks.

O’Neal took over offensively and defensively after Ewing fouled out, finishing with 21 points, 19 rebounds and a team-record nine blocked shots during the Magic’s 102-100 triple-overtime victory at Orlando.

The loss ended the Knicks’ seven-game winning streak.

Ewing dominated the first 48 minutes, but O’Neal, who sat out 16 minutes of the first half because of his own foul trouble, blocked his potential game-winning shot at the end of regulation. The last time the teams played at Orlando, on Jan. 8, O’Neal blocked a last-second shot by Ewing to preserve a one-point victory.

“I had a horrible offensive game,� said O’Neal, who made only three of 17 shots during regulation and finished eight of 25.

“But I think I did the other things pretty good--blocked some shots and rebounded--and we won. That’s what it’s all about.�

Six of O’Neal’s blocks came during the overtimes, including the rejection of John Starks’ jump shot at the end of the second five-minute overtime.

O’Neal drew the sixth foul on Ewing and sank two free throws, tying the score, 90-90, with 13.7 seconds left in the first overtime.

“I didn’t think I fouled him. He turned into me,� said Ewing, whose Knicks have the best record in the Eastern Conference but have lost two of three games to O’Neal’s Magic.

Working against Anthony Mason and Herb Williams during the last two overtimes, O’Neal scored nine points and blocked four shots.

Ewing led the Knicks with 34 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks. John Starks made 10 of 36 shots and finished with 26 points.

New Jersey 117, Miami 111--Drazen Petrovic scored eight of his 34 points during overtime to lead the Nets at East Rutherford, N.J.

Miami is 0-6 in overtime.

Petrovic, who fouled out with 16.5 seconds to play, put the Nets ahead for good, 113-111, when he made a jump shot with 56 seconds left.

Charlotte 117, Detroit 107--Kendall Gill scored 27 points at Charlotte, N.C., as the Hornets moved to five games over .500 for the first time.

Alonzo Mourning scored 24 points and had 13 rebounds and six blocks for the Hornets, who have won seven of eight.

Mark Aguirre scored 23 points for the Pistons.

Golden State 114, Washington 94--Jud Buechler scored 17 points and Sarunas Marciulionis and Tyrone Hill added 15 each to lead the Warriors at Oakland.