New York’s Offense Hits Rock Bottom

As bad as the play has been in the NBA in this lockout-shortened season, nothing has been as bad as the horror show put on by the New York Knicks at Chicago on Friday.

The Knicks made only 19 baskets, tying the NBA record low set by Utah against San Antonio in 1997 and by Indiana at New York in 1985, and losing, 76-63, to the Bulls.

“We missed shots, had turnovers, missed free throws. We did everything we could to be that bad. You have to do everything wrong to be as bad as we were,” said New York Coach Jeff Van Gundy, whose team called a players’ meeting after the loss.

Playing without injured Patrick Ewing, New York also flirted with the lowest point total of in NBA history--54 set by Utah against the Bulls in Game 3 of last June’s NBA finals.

The Knicks entered the final quarter trailing 63-33 but were able to pad their total in the final minutes against Chicago’s reserves, scoring 30 in the final period.

Philadelphia 100, New Jersey 93--While Stephon Marbury sat quietly on the bench in his first game with the Nets since being traded from Minnesota the day before, Allen Iverson scored five of his 28 points in overtime as the 76ers defeated the Nets at Philadelphia.

Marbury didn’t play because the NBA had not yet approved the $70.9 million, six-year contract he signed with the Nets before the game. Iverson hit a fadeaway three-pointer to start overtime and faked out half the arena with a wicked crossover dribble and layup that gave Philadelphia a 94-87 lead.

Minnesota 101, Sacramento 95--Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 17 rebounds as the Timberwolves, playing without Terrell Brandon, never trailed in at Sacramento.

The recently acquired Brandon and Brian Evans did not dress for the game because the three-way trade involving the New Jersey Nets and Milwaukee Bucks is still awaiting league approval.

San Antonio 99, Phoenix 97--Sean Elliott made a 21-foot jumper at the buzzer as the Spurs withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally to defeat the Suns at Phoenix for their sixth consecutive victory.

The Spurs led by as many as 18 points and still held a 91-86 lead with 1:57 remaining. Phoenix rallied, Danny Manning’s tip-in tied the score with 2.1 seconds to go.

Charlotte 92, Washington 83--Eddie Jones scored eight of his 14 points in the third quarter and David Wesley scored a season-high 23 to lead the Hornets to victory at Washington in their first game since the Glenn Rice trade.

Elden Campbell missed the game because of family obligations and is expected to play Sunday at New York.

Detroit 93, Boston 83--Grant Hill scored 13 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Pistons to victory over the Celtics at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Indiana 109, Milwaukee 104--Antonio Davis scored seven points in a decisive 15-5 run that propelled the Pacers past the Bucks in an early showdown between the Central Division leaders at Indiana.

Utah 91, Portland 77--Karl Malone had 21 points and nine rebounds as the Jazz handed the Trail Blazers their first home loss in a matchup of the teams with the best records in the NBA.

Around the League

Washington Wizard center Jahidi White will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday, sidelining the rookie for up to four weeks. White, 23, re-injured the knee during the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s 98-86 loss to the New York Knicks. He was originally hurt during a 104-91 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on March 1 and sat out the next five games.