Knicks Struggle Past Bulls

The New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, two teams that created one of the NBA’s great rivalries with a series of angry, trash-talking confrontations over the years, stuck to the same approach Thursday night.

The mood was heated but the quality of the basketball took a dip as Patrick Ewing scored 18 points and threw an elbow at Bill Wennington, Marcus Camby blocked eight shots and Allan Houston had nine points in the fourth quarter of a sloppy 73-68 victory over the new-look Bulls at Chicago.

With no Michael Jordan to break the Knicks in the final quarter as he did so often, the Bulls turned to Toni Kukoc, who made only four of 22 shots and missed two key shots in the final 1:22.

It was the Knicks’ first victory at the United Center since April 1997.

The Bulls shot only 26.6%, making 21 of 79 shots. New York wasn’t much better, making only 26 of 71 (36.6%).

Brent Barry led Chicago with 15 points.

Utah 82, Phoenix 74--Karl Malone had 22 points and nine rebounds as the Jazz improved to 4-0, the best start in their 25-year history.

Cleveland 99, San Antonio 89--Shawn Kemp had 25 points and 12 rebounds at Cleveland as the Cavaliers ended a 10-game losing streak to the Spurs.

Orlando 87, Detroit 81--Penny Hardaway scored 22 points, including seven down the stretch, to lead the Magic at Auburn Hills, Mich. Grant Hill led the Pistons with 25 points.

Houston 105, Dallas 95--Rookie Michael Dickerson scored 21 points, including a game-sealing three-pointer with 2:04 left, as the visiting Rockets downed the Mavericks for the 10th consecutive time.

Atlanta 100, Charlotte 88--With Steve Smith scoring 11 of his team-high 17 points in the opening period,, the Hawks jumped to a 21-point lead and went on to beat the Hornets at Atlanta.

Miami 102, Toronto 84--Tim Hardaway scored 13 of his 27 points and had five of his nine assists in the decisive third quarter to lead the Heat to their first home victory after two losses.

Milwaukee 95, New Jersey 75--Coach George Karl had a successful home debut behind Ray Allen’s 19 points as the Bucks moved to 3-0 under his guidance.

Indiana 101, Vancouver 97--Rik Smits led the way with 24 points and Antonio Davis scored seven of the Pacers’ final 16 points in a victory at Vancouver, Canada.

Around the League

Free-agent point guard Kevin Johnson is talking to the Houston Rockets, but 11 other teams are also interested in him, his agent, Kevin Hiestand, says. “Houston is definitely a top contender,’ Hiestand said. . . . Blue Edwards, a journeyman free-agent swingman, expects to sign with the injury-depleted Miami Heat. The Heat are missing Voshon Lenard and Jamal Mashburn because of injuries.