Knicks Really Get Defensive in Shutting Down Phoenix

New York and Phoenix have already completed their season series, and the Knicks no doubt will have happy memories of the two games.

The Knicks and their league-leading defense held the Suns to 10 points in the first quarter and 45 points below their road average in a 102-80 victory Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

That makes it two victories over Phoenix by a total of 52 points for New York, which has won by at least 20 points in eight of its 10 victories.

John Starks scored 22 points, including 14 in the second quarter, Patrick Ewing added 21 and Allan Houston had a season-high 21 for New York, which held Phoenix to its season-low point total in a 105-75 victory on Nov. 6.

The Knicks also improved upon their defensive numbers for fewest points allowed (84.1) and lowest opponents’ field goal percentage (38.8%). New York limited Phoenix to 27 points in the first half.

“We have the type of talent to blow teams out, and when we get up on them we keep it coming off the bench,” Starks said. “We aren’t coming off the bench with any slouches.”

The Suns, who lost for the first time in four road games this season and had their three-game winning streak snapped, were averaging 125 points per game on the road.

But they seemed unwilling to speed up the pace from the outset and were overwhelmed inside by the Knicks’ size advantage.

Jason Kidd, who had 11 assists to surpass 2,000 for his career, scored 10 points but made only three of 14 shots.

“In the first five minutes it was clear they didn’t want to run with us. When they took a shot, nobody went to the offensive boards. They all got back [on defense],” Starks said. “I think they were more afraid of us running than beating them in the halfcourt.”

Phoenix’s 27 first-half points tied the franchise record-low set Feb. 24, 1979, against Atlanta, and the Suns were so far behind that even an extended cold spell by New York in the third quarter didn’t help them much.

Chicago 88, Washington 83--In winning the last game played at US Airways Arena, the Bulls avoided their first three-game losing streak since they lost four in a row Jan. 13-18, 1995.

Michael Jordan scored 29 points to lead the Bulls, who rallied from a 17-point deficit. They led by three before two baskets by Jason Caffey and a free throw by Jordan made it 80-72.

After Chris Webber scored for Washington, Toni Kukoc made a three-point for an 83-74 lead with 3:48 left. The Bulls improved to 3-6 on the road.

Juwan Howard had 22 points and Webber scored 21 despite missing most of the first half with a cut eyelid he received when Jordan fouled him on a rebound.

Minnesota 106, Vancouver 87--The Timberwolves built a 34-point first-half lead and coasted to the victory at Minneapolis.

Tom Gugliotta scored 23 points and Stephon Marbury had 14 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Timberwolves, who snapped a five-game losing streak.

Breaking its recent pattern of slow starts, Minnesota jumped out to leads of 8-0 and 26-9 in the first quarter.

The Timberwolves held the Grizzlies to just 10 points in the quarter, then blew the game open in the second quarter, taking a 56-22 lead on a layup by Tom Hammonds with 3:18 left.

The Grizzlies have lost four in a row.

Cleveland 103, Boston 97--There were 51 turnovers and 54 fouls in a matchup of the league’s youngest teams at Cleveland.

The Cavaliers won their fifth straight despite a team-record 32 turnovers against Boston’s pressure defense. The Celtics lost their third in a row.

Cleveland, which led 50-48 at halftime, made more free throws (36 for 44) than field goals (31 for 53), and didn’t seal the victory until Cedric Henderson made a dunk with 19 seconds left, making it 103-95.

Shawn Kemp had a triple-double--18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 turnovers--to lead Cleveland.

San Antonio 96, Dallas 87--The Spurs closed the third quarter with a 31-15 run to take control at San Antonio.

Avery Johnson, who had a season-high 19 points when the Spurs beat the Mavericks Tuesday night, keyed the run and didn’t return in the fourth quarter.

Atlanta 98, Charlotte 80--Steve Smith scored 23 points in his first game back in the lineup to help the Hawks win at Atlanta.

Smith, who missed two games with back spasms and another because of a death in the family, scored 10 points in the third quarter as the Hawks used a 13-4 run to take a 13-point lead after three quarters.

Houston 107, Golden State 100--Charles Barkley had 43 points for the Rockets as the Warriors remained winless at home.

Barkley had 15 of his points as the Rockets held Golden State scoreless for nearly nine minutes during a run that turned an 18-point deficit into a nine-point lead. The Warriors are 0-5 at home and 1-13 overall this season.

Milwaukee 93, Miami 87--Ray Allen scored 24 points and Terrell Brandon added 19 at Miami as the Bucks ended a 17-game losing streak against the Heat.

The Bucks beat Miami for the first time since January 1993 and ended the Heat’s six-game home winning streak.