NBA ROUNDUP : Streaking Knicks Tied for First

The New York Knicks may not be accustomed to such a lofty position, but Pat Riley has spent most of his coaching life there.

Gerald Wilkins scored 28 points Tuesday night to lead the Knicks to a 98-81 rout of Miami and keep their home record unbeaten at 6-0.

The fourth victory in a row enabled the Knicks (8-5) to pull into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division with Boston.

The Knicks have won only one division titles in the last 20 years. The Lakers won the Pacific Division title in all nine of Riley’s seasons as coach.

The difference in the Knicks’ team that opened the season by losing its first two games, including 107-93 at Miami, is defense. This was the fifth consecutive game the Knicks held the opponent below 100 points. The 81 for the Heat, which was knocked out of first place, is the lowest total against the Knicks this season.

The Heat scored the first eight points of the game, but then the Knicks got tough. A jumper by Kiki Vandeweghe early in the second quarter gave the Knicks the lead for good, 34-32.

“I thought this was one of our better defensive games,” Riley said. “They shot 58% in the first half and still were down six. We felt if we could just tighten up we could hold them under 100.”

In the last quarter the Heat was only four for 20.

Glen Rice had 23 points and nine rebounds for Miami.

Seattle 136, Golden State 130--Eddie Johnson came off the bench to score 29 points at Seattle and the SuperSonics knocked the Warriors out of first place in the Pacific Division with an overtime victory.

Shawn Kemp, out with a foot injury since training camp, played in his first game of the season, getting 21 points.

The Warriors led, 91-79, with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Cleveland 95, Philadelphia 91--The 76ers were in a great spot to make it a three-way tie for the top in the Atlantic Division, but they blew a big lead at Philadelphia and lost.

Even though their star, Charles Barkley, was hampered by strained rib muscles, the 76ers led most of the way, building a 13-point lead in the third quarter. They still led, 86-79, with five minutes to play.

But Brad Daugherty, who made eight consecutive free throws in the last four minutes to wind up with 31 points, led the Cavaliers on a 12-3 run that wiped out the lead.

Barkley, wearing a flak jacket to protect the ribs, had 11 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes.

Cavalier Coach Lenny Wilkens praised Daugherty. “The guy is just playing tremendous,” he said. “He has been doing everything for us. He’s improved every year, especially his free throw shooting.”

Portland 107, Milwaukee 98--It was the Bucks’ third game in four nights on their Western swing, and for three quarters at Portland they seemed on their way to their first victory.

But Clyde Drexler (30 points) fired up the Trail Blazers, who charged from behind to catch the Bucks in regulation. The Bucks wore out completely in the overtime and it was no contest.

Detroit 103, Atlanta 93--When the Pistons won back-to-back NBA championships, they were a guard-oriented team. To end a five-game losing streak, guards Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars took charge at Atlanta.

Thomas had 22 points and 10 assists and Dumars had 17 points to lead the Pistons to their second victory in the last nine games.

Atlanta’s Kevin Willis, the league’s leading rebounder, had 20 to go with 16 points.

Houston 118, New Jersey 109--The Rockets were without center Hakeem Olajuwon and his backup Larry Smith because of injuries, but they didn’t need them against the Nets at Houston.

Vernon Maxwell had 29 points and the Rockets improved their home record to 7-0.

Sacramento 104, Phoenix 89--When the Kings fell behind, 12-4 to open the game at Sacramento, it appeared they were still celebrating their first road victory in more than a year Saturday night at Orlando.

But Mitch Richmond and Wayman Tisdale roused their teammates, the Kings moved in front early in the second quarter and never trailed again. Richmond had 26 points for the Kings, who are 4-3 at home, and Tisdale had 20.

Denver 103, Charlotte 97--In their first meeting as pros, Dikembe Mutombo of the Nuggets and Larry Johnson of the Hornets put on a tremendous show at Denver.

It was just about a standoff. Johnson had 25 points and 16 rebounds. Mutombo had 21 points and 20 rebounds.

Mutombo had more help and the Hornets remained winless on the road (0-7). Reggie Williams had 22 points for the Nuggets.