Hot-Shooting Heat Hands Magic Record-Tying Loss

The Miami Heat made certain that the Orlando Magic had no shot.

Smothering defense helped Miami build a 25-point first-quarter lead Thursday night, and Orlando tied an NBA record for fewest points in a playoff game by losing, 99-64, at Miami.

The Heat earned its most lopsided victory of the season in the first playoff game between Florida’s two NBA teams. The Magic missed 15 consecutive shots during one stretch and hit a season-low 30.6%.

“In the middle of the second quarter, they were ready to give up,” Miami forward P.J. Brown said.

With a 35-10 advantage, the Heat held the second-largest lead after one quarter in league playoff history. Milwaukee led Philadelphia, 40-14, in 1970.

New York 109, Charlotte 99--The Knicks, led by John Starks and Allan Houston, made five three-point baskets in the fourth quarter and beat the Hornets--the best three-point shooting team in NBA history--at New York.

Houston finished with 25 points and Starks added 19 as the Knicks shot 58.4% overall, including 47.6% on three-pointers.

Houston 112, Minnesota 95--Matt Maloney and Mario Elie took up the scoring slack for the Rockets’ big three in the first half as the Timberwolves were routed in their playoff debut at Houston.

While Charles Barkley (10 points), Clyde Drexler (four) and Hakeem Olajuwon (eight) combined for only 22 points in the first half, Maloney and Elie helped the Rockets take a 61-48 halftime lead.

Maloney made four three-point shots and finished with 14 points, and Elie scored 13 of his team-high 21 points in the first half.

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Air Balls

The Orlando Magic was routed by the Miami Heat, 99-64, equaling the lowest output by one team in a playoff game. Here are the worst performances:

* 64--Orlando at Miami, 1997

* 64--Portland at Utah, 1996

* 67--Orlando at Chicago, 1996

* 68--New York at Indiana, 1994