NBA : Victory No. 39 Brings a Special Joy for Knicks

The New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, 111-99, and equaled their victory total for last season.

“It’s a big, big landmark for us,” Knick President Dave Checketts of victory No. 39. “We have some goals that I don’t want to talk about, but this is a big mark for us. Last year we had to struggle to get there . . . (But) we will not be satisfied with it.”

The Knicks outscored the 76ers by 32-16 during the second quarter, when Philadelphia made only eight of 24 shots. The Knicks led, 59-44, at halftime, and the closest the 76ers got the rest of the way was 11 points.

“We played real hard on defense,” said Knick guard Mark Jackson, who had 11 points and 11 assists. “We have a good schedule ahead of us, but we won’t let up because we have teams trying to catch us. We have to hold up our end of the stick.”

Said Knick Coach Pat Riley: “We have 20 games left and we’re in a race. We have a good five or six games ahead that we could win. Let’s face it: It’s up to us.”

The Knicks, who lead the Boston Celtics by 3 1/2 games in the Atlantic Division, are playing with confidence.

“And that wasn’t always the case last season,” Jackson said. “Last season seems like 10 years ago. It’s a different time. We have a lot to be proud of.”

Said guard John Starks: “We feel good right now. But it’s still a long way to go. We’re pushing for 50 wins and to catch Cleveland for the second spot in the (Eastern) Conference.”