Knicks Collapse Again

Doc Rivers called it Orlando’s most incredible victory since he has been coaching the team. The New York Knicks didn’t know what to call it, having long ago exhausted their supply of negative analyses.

Tracy McGrady scored 29 points and blocked an ill-advised shot by Charlie Ward with five seconds left as the Magic closed the game with an 18-2 run and beat the Knicks, 94-90, Sunday night at New York.

“We really had no business being in that game,� Rivers said. “It was an incredible win, the best since I’ve been here. This was a sign of a team that has not decided to cave in, that has not decided to quit because Grant [Hill] is not playing.�

Former Knick Patrick Ewing received a 30-second ovation from the fans, who briefly chanted his name. He finished with five points and four rebounds in 15 minutes in his first game at Madison Square Garden with Orlando.

It was the latest in a series of collapses for New York, which has shown a penchant lately for blowing leads late in games. Losing for the fifth time in their last six home games, the Knicks were booed off the court.

The crowd also booed Allan Houston early in the third quarter after he missed a free throw to remain scoreless, but the Knicks seemed to have won the fans over and have the game in hand after Latrell Sprewell sank a jumper for an 88-76 lead with 4:33 left. It wasn’t enough, however.

Sprewell had a team-high 28 points.

“We hung in there and I think they kind of got a little tight at the end,� McGrady said.

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Detroit 86, Miami 80--Jerry Stackhouse scored 24 points at Auburn Hills, Mich., as the Pistons snapped a seven-game losing streak and handed the Heat its sixth straight loss.

The Heat fell to 3-10 in December and 5-23 overall. It was Miami’s first game since Coach Pat Riley said he was committed to his team despite speculation that he was ready to bail out of his current situation.

Brian Grant scored 22 points and Alonzo Mourning added 18 for Miami.

The Heat, which failed to reach 100 points for the 28th consecutive game, set the franchise record in a loss Friday to Memphis. The NBA record is 29, shared by the 1997-98 Orlando Magic and the 1999-2000 Chicago Bulls.

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San Antonio 83, Memphis 79--Tim Duncan had 27 points and 18 rebounds and David Robinson added 21 points and 12 rebounds as the Spurs used their inside strength to end a three-game losing streak and turn back a Grizzly rally at Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis cut the San Antonio lead to 74-72 with about two minutes to play before Robinson took over, scoring three straight baskets, including a pair of dunks to build the margin to 80-74.

Pau Gasol led Memphis with 24 points and 15 rebounds, which tied his career high.

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Sacramento 109, Boston 94--Chris Webber scored a season-high 30 points at Sacramento to help the Kings to their fourth consecutive victory.

The Kings won for the 10th straight time at Arco Arena, improving to an NBA-best 17-1 at home.

Paul Pierce scored 26 points for Boston (18-11).

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Minnesota 95, Portland 93--Kevin Garnett and Wally Szczerbiak each scored 27 points at Portland, Ore., as the Timberwolves handed the Trail Blazers their fourth consecutive loss and fifth in six games.

Rasheed Wallace led Portland with 26 points and six rebounds. The Trail Blazers had a chance to tie or win at the buzzer, but Wallace missed a jumper.