NBA ROUNDUP : Starks Finds Comfort in Knicks’ Runaway

John Starks has found a home away from home.

“I really like this arena--the lighting, the background, everything,” Starks said Saturday night after making seven three-point baskets, one shy of his own team record, and scoring 29 points to lead the New York Knicks to an 89-76 victory over the Cavaliers at Cleveland’s new Gund Arena.

New York led, 39-36, at halftime and never trailed in the second half, finally ending all doubt when Starks made four three-pointers in the last five minutes.

Patrick Ewing had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks. Anthony Mason added 13 points and 14 rebounds.

The Cavaliers were led by John Williams with 20 points and Michael Cage with 20 rebounds.

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Boston 107, Indiana 101--Dino Radja scored 23 points as the Celtics led by as many as 18 points in handing the Pacers their third consecutive loss.

The victory also snapped Indiana’s 12-game home winning streak against Boston, which hadn’t won at Market Square Arena since March 16, 1989.

Byron Scott had 21 points for Indiana.

Celtic guard Dee Brown was out because of flu.

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Utah 98, Portland 81--Karl Malone, questionable until game time because of a sprained right ankle, scored 30 points to lead the Jazz at Salt Lake City.

The Trail Blazers were without Rod Strickland (bad shoulder) and Cliff Robinson (sprained right ankle).

James Robinson led Portland with 23 points.

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Detroit 98, Dallas 91--Joe Dumars recovered from a scoreless first half to score 19 points and Allan Houston added 16 as the Pistons halted a nine-game road losing streak at Dallas.

The game was tied at 80 when Dumars took control, making an eight-footer with 7:11 left and converting two free throws with 6:45 left to put the Pistons ahead for good.

Jamal Mashburn scored 22 points and Roy Tarpley had 18 as the Mavericks’ two-game winning streak ended.

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Chicago 106, Philadelphia 94--Toni Kukoc scored 21 points as the Bulls snapped a three-game road losing streak by stopping the 76ers at Philadelphia.

The 76ers went on a 15-0 run early in the fourth quarter to close to 92-89, but the Bulls responded with an 8-2 run to put the game away.

Philadelphia was led by Dana Barros’ 26 points.