Primed by an uncharacteristic display of accurate shooting from the field, New York beat Orlando 119-111 Monday night at the T.D. Waterhouse Something-Or Other Complex Of Aisles & Girders.


(Stevie Franchise, suffering from JYD being glued to his person)

Led by PG Stephon Marbury’s 34 points (21 in the first half), the Knicks broke out to a 9-0 lead and never looked back, scoring their highest point total of the season against a sluggish Magic squad. (NY’s 71 points by intermisison was the Knicks’ biggest first half total in 13 years). Stevie Francis and Cutino Mobley had 25 and 24 points apiece for Orlando.

Vince Carter had a strong debut for the Nets tonight, scoring 23 points (5 steals, 3 assists) in New Jersey’s OT loss to Detroit before having to be helped off the floor with what appeared to be leg cramps. Carter had played 42+ minutes in his first game back from injury and perhaps wasn’t ready for that much action. Not sure what excuse can be created for Jason Kidd, who scored a mere 2 points from the line, going 0 for 8 from the field.