Knicks Greet Mason and Hornets With Rout

Anthony Mason’s homecoming featured a warm reception from the crowd and a rude awakening from his former team as the New York Knicks opened a 26-point lead in the first quarter and trounced Charlotte, 113-86, Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

Mason, traded to the Hornets during the summer for Larry Johnson, was a not a factor in the early going as the Knicks opened a 27-6 lead midway through the first quarter.

It was 37-11 at the end of one quarter, and by the middle of the second, Johnson was talking trash to the Hornets’ stone-faced bench.

John Starks had 17 points and Patrick Ewing 16 as six Knicks scored more than 10 points.

Charlotte’s starters combined for only 30 points.

Denver 88, San Antonio 79--Reserve Ricky Pierce scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets beat the depleted Spurs at San Antonio.

Playing without injured regulars David Robinson, Will Perdue and Chuck Person, the Spurs went more than 11 minutes without a basket and matched a franchise low with only nine field goals in the first half.

Denver led, 52-34, at halftime.

Antonio McDyess added 13 points and LaPhonso Ellis and Bryant Stith each had 12 for the Nuggets.

Golden State 105, Vancouver 95--Chris Mullin reached the 15,000-point mark, scoring 24 in the Warriors’ victory at Vancouver.

Golden State broke an 88-88 tie with 5:36 left by scoring seven consecutive points.

Mullin reached the milestone with a three-point basket with 7:46 left in the third quarter, giving the Warriors a 64-54 lead.

Latrell Sprewell had 20 points for the Warriors.