NEW YORK, 18 January 2004 — Keith Van Horn scored 30 points and Stephon Marbury picked up 17 assists to earn the New York Knicks a 108-88 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics and a winning debut for new head coach Lenny Wilkens on Friday.
Van Horn’s points haul came in only 28 minutes while Allen Houston added 18 as the Knicks dominated throughout.
New York raced into a 60-42 lead by halftime and led by as many as 31 points in the third quarter.
Wilkens, the NBA’s all-time leader in coaching wins and losses, was introduced with no fanfare before the game. By the third quarter, the fans at Madison Square Garden were chanting his name.
Dikembe Mutombo had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks while Michael Doleac chipped in with 12 points.
Ray Allen totaled 23 points to lead the Sonics, who have not won in New York since November 1996. Ronald Murray added 17 points.
Wilkens announced before the game that he had appointed Mark Aguirre and Dick Helm to his coaching staff.
In Indianapolis, Jermaine O’Neal notched 20 points and 10 rebounds to power the Indiana Pacers to an 89-79 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Reggie Miller led Indiana with 28 points, including seven three-pointers, as his team won for the ninth time in 10 games.
The Pacers, who top the Eastern Conference with a 30-11 record, overcame a 46-39 halftime deficit.
Tim Duncan had 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Spurs while Tony Parker added 14 points.
San Antonio (26-14), which has lost three straight games, was outscored 50-33 in the second half.
In Orlando, Tracy McGrady amassed 42 points, including a three-pointer in overtime, to give the Magic a 124-118 win over the Boston Celtics.
The Magic scored on their first four shots in overtime as they ended a two-game losing streak.
Drew Gooden claimed a career-high 32 points for Orlando while going 12-for-18 from the field.
Paul Pierce had 20 points and Mark Blount 15 for the Celtics, who lost their third game in a row.
Orlando improved to 3-0 in overtime this season and also won for the fourth time in its last 12 meetings with Boston.
Eight Celtics scored in double-figures in the loss, which featured the return of Vin Baker after he was suspended for failing to comply with his alcohol treatment program.
Baker collected 12 points and made his first four shots in the game.
In Sacramento, the absence of Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone through injury proved too much for the Los Angeles Lakers to overcome as they were mauled 103-83 by the Kings.
Peja Stojakovic had 23 points for Sacramento and Mike Bibby 21. Brad Miller chipped in with nine points and 14 rebounds.
Kareem Rush had 30 points to lead Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, Eddie Jones scored 20 points to steer the Miami Heat past the Clippers 87-85.
Lamar Odom added 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Heat. Elton Brand replied with 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Clippers.
In Detroit, Chauncey Billups notched 12 points and 10 assists to help the Pistons to a 98-77 thrashing of the Washington Wizards.
Richard Hamilton registered 17 points and Tayshaun Prince 16 to push the Pistons to their 11th straight win.
Juan Dixon led the Wizards with 14 points but his team lost for the seventh time in eight games.
In Denver, Dirk Nowitzki claimed 22 points while Antoine Walker added 13 points and 10 rebounds to guide the Dallas Mavericks to a 91-88 triumph over the Nuggets.
Michael Finley and Antawn Jamison both landed 16-point hauls as the Mavs won their third straight game.
Andre Miller bagged 28 points and 10 assists for Denver while Carmelo Anthony had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
In Phoenix, Joe Johnson scored 26 points while Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire both had 21 as the Suns beat the Golden State Warriors 104-93.
The Suns seized their second victory in a row after snapping a six-game losing streak.
Mike Dunleavy and Erick Dampier both contributed 19 points for Golden State.
