NBA ROUNDUP : Knicks Get With Riley Program

Pat Riley stresses what he calls the three E’s--effort, enthusiasm and efficiency.

When his New York Knicks lost their first two home games and had to go overtime to beat Indiana last week, Riley believed they were remiss in the third E. That’s why he held an illegal workout on New Year’s Day and drew the wrath of NBA officials, as well as a fine.

But a fourth E--Patrick Ewing--snapped the Knicks out of their slump.

Back-to-back superlative performances by the 7-foot center has the Knicks back in control of the Atlantic Division.

Ewing had a key blocked shot in the closing seconds of overtime Sunday night at New York to help the Knicks outlast Phoenix, 108-104, and take a two-game lead in the division.

“You win with the three Es,” Riley said. “If you don’t have the effort and aren’t enthusiastic, you’ll never be efficient. But, if you’re not efficient, you’ve just wasted effort and enthusiasm.”

Nine seconds after Xavier McDaniel sank a 16-foot jump shot with 20 seconds left in overtime to put the Knicks ahead, Ewing blocked Kevin Johnson’s driving layup to assure the victory.

Ewing finished with 37 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots in a solid 50 minutes. He sank a short jump shot with 34 seconds left in regulation that gave the Knicks a 100-98 lead, but Tim Perry’s two free throws sent the game into overtime.

McDaniel was playing against his former teammates for the first time since being traded by the Suns. He had 16 points, but before he sank the winner, he had not scored since early in the third quarter.

Ewing had 24 points and 19 rebounds in a victory Saturday night at Washington.

The Suns lost a third consecutive game on their Eastern trip.

Portland 115, Philadelphia 102--The 76ers have been on the road since Christmas, and they were just too weary to contest the Trail Blazers at Portland.

Before the 76ers knew what hit them, they were trailing, 15-2, and it didn’t get any better until it was much too late.

Four minutes into the second half, the Blazers (20-11) were ahead, 77-51, and Coach Rick Adelman already was clearing his bench.

A reserve, Cliff Robinson, was Portland’s leading scorer with 22 points.

Ron Anderson scored 22 for the 76ers.