Knicks, Van Gundy Deliver

Maybe Jeff Van Gundy’s job should be on the line every game.

For the fourth time in Van Gundy’s four seasons as coach of the New York Knicks, someone reported that he was about to be fired. This time, it was NBC saying he’d be axed if the Knicks didn’t win Sunday night.

No one got a chance to see if the prediction would come true because the slumping Knicks defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 94-86, at New York.

“I’ll let you all speculate on that,” Van Gundy said when asked if he thought the victory had saved his job.

Other weren’t so coy.

“There was no truth to it, it was ridiculous and I’m not going to dignify it with any more comment,” General Manager Ernie Grunfeld said.

It was only the fourth victory in the last 10 games for the Knicks, whose mediocre start has been marked by an alarming lack of effort and a series of late-game flops. Van Gundy has blamed himself for the constant letdowns.

Washington 98, Milwaukee 86--Mitch Richmond scored 23 points and the Wizards overcame a horrendous start to hand the Bucks their worst loss of the season at Washington. The Wizards had four turnovers in their first five possessions, and the Bucks converted all four into layups for an 8-2 lead. The lead grew to 23-9 before the Wizards began their comeback.

Miami 102, New Jersey 76--Alonzo Mourning had 25 points and 11 rebounds as the Heat won its 10th consecutive home game and spoiled Stephon Marbury’s Net debut. Upset that NBC promotions featured Marbury rather than the Heat, the Atlantic Division leaders saw the recently-traded guard score 21, but Mourning’s presence inside was too much for the Nets.

Indiana 99, Boston 96--Rik Smits had 14 of his season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter and led the Pacers back from a 10-point deficit in the final seven minutes of a victory over the Celtics at Indianapolis. Indiana trailed, 88-78, before Smits ignited the final 21-8 run with a basket with 6:36 to go. His 14-footer with 26.1 seconds left was the game-winner.

Atlanta 85, Detroit 72--Mookie Blaylock scored nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Hawks to their third victory in a row, defeating the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich. The victory ended a six-game home winning streak for Detroit, which got 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists from Grant Hill.

Phoenix 104, Houston 90--Jason Kidd recorded his fifth triple-double of the season as the Suns rallied from a 12-point first-half deficit for a victory over the Rockets at Phoenix. Kidd, finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists as the Suns avoided going below .500 for the first time this season.

Around the League

The Detroit Pistons signed free-agent guard Khalid Reeves to a 10-day contract, his fifth team in five NBA seasons. To make room, the Pistons placed former UCLA star Charles O’Bannon on the injured list because of tendinitis in his right knee. . . . Guard Adonis Jordan was signed to a 10-day contract by the Milwaukee Bucks, who will be without newly-acquired Sam Cassell for a week or two while he nurses a sprained ankle.