Rockets Reach 15-0, Tie Longtime Record : Pro basketball: Hakeem Olajuwon (37 points) dominates Patrick Ewing (12 points) as Houston cruises past New York.

The Houston Rockets went into Madison Square Garden and beat the New York Knicks at their own game Thursday night, tying the record for the best start in NBA history at 15-0.

The Rockets, with a 94-85 victory, matched the start of the 1948-49 Washington Capitols. Hakeem Olajuwon outplayed fellow All-Star center Patrick Ewing and outscored him, 37-12, including 16-0 in the third quarter when Ewing missed seven consecutive shots.

The Knicks, who won 41 of their previous 46 home games and had the best defense in the NBA last season, were held to 13 points in the second period and got blown out in the third. Olajuwon hit seven of eight attempts in that quarter, carrying the Rockets to an 80-61 advantage.