Ewing Still Has Some Magic

Needing an extra boost of energy to get past an Orlando team on a seven-game winning streak, the New York Knicks got it from an unlikely source.

Patrick Ewing scored 28 points and had 18 rebounds out of his 37-year-old body to lead the Knicks past the Magic, 96-89, Friday night at Orlando. Ewing’s big effort came one night after he scored a season-high 30 against Washington.

“Really, no one played or shot the ball particularly well other than Pat,” Knick Coach Jeff Van Gundy said. “But I just liked that he was mentally tough when things were going wrong in the fourth. He was terrific.”

Ewing helped lift starters Allan Houston (10 points) and Charlie Ward (12), who were a combined nine for 29 from the field.

“We have great admiration and respect for the will [the Magic] play with, the heart they play with, the energy and intensity,” Van Gundy said. “Their players are better than people are giving them credit for. This is one of the best wins we’ve had all year.”

Magic Coach Doc Rivers praised Ewing’s effort.

“I don’t know what it is with these old centers,” Rivers said, also alluding to the Spurs’ David Robinson, who scored 30 against the Magic on Tuesday. “But they are hurting us right now. I thought this game was going to come down to who was going to make a shot.”

Darrell Armstrong’s basket with 1:06 left pulled Orlando within one, 87-86. After Latrell Sprewell’s two free throws put New York ahead, 89-86, Orlando’s Chucky Atkins missed a drive that would have put the Magic back within one.

Ewing then made a layup and a foul shot for a 92-86 lead. Orlando ran out of time to make a serious threat as Ron Mercer missed a three-point attempt with 17.0 seconds left.

Toronto 104, Atlanta 84--Vince Carter scored 23 points and Tracy McGrady had 21 at Atlanta to help the Raptors end a four-game losing streak.

The Raptors, who had lost of eight of their previous nine, need any combination of three wins or three Milwaukee losses to clinch the first playoff appearance in the franchise’s five-year history. They moved within a game of Charlotte for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

The Hawks, whose losing streak was extended to five games, have lost 19 of 23.

Detroit 97, Charlotte 82--The Pistons remained in seventh place in the Eastern Conference--four games ahead of ninth-place Milwaukee with seven games left.

Jerry Stackhouse, who made six of eight three-point shots, scored 23 points to help Detroit extend its winning streak to four games.

Charlotte could have clinched a playoff berth, but instead lost its second game in as many nights after winning seven in a row.

Philadelphia 102, Boston 97--The loss at Boston extended the Celtics’ losing streak to 10 games, the team’s longest in three seasons under Coach Rick Pitino and three shy of the club record.

The 76ers used an 8-0 run in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter to take their first lead since midway through the first quarter. Allen Iverson made a free throw with 2:38 left to give the 76ers a 100-91 lead--their largest of the game.

Indiana 95, Cleveland 94--Jalen Rose had 26 points and matched his career-high of 13 rebounds at Indianapolis as the Pacers defeated the Cavaliers for the seventh consecutive time.

Reggie Miller made a free throw for the game’s final point with 4.6 seconds left.

Miami 103, New Jersey 85--Tim Hardaway scored 13 of his 15 points in the first quarter and extended the Heat’s NBA-record streak of hitting a three-point shot to 500 games in leading Miami to a victory in New Jersey. Miami has won six in a row.

Utah 105, Golden State 84--The win at Oakland improved the Jazz’s record since the All-Star break to 23-5. They have defeated the Warriors 16 consecutive times, including all four meetings this season.

Minnesota 95, Sacramento 92--Terrell Brandon scored 30 points and made a big three-point basket late in the fourth quarter as the Timberwolves beat the Kings at Sacramento. Forward Chris Webber missed his third straight game for the Kings with a strained left calf and starting guard Nick Anderson was out with a sore left knee.

Houston 119, Seattle 116--Walt Williams hit a three-point shot from the corner with 5.1 seconds left, giving the Rockets the win over the SuperSonics in Seattle. Steve Francis led Houston with 31 points. Gary Payton led the SuperSonics with 29 points, nine assists and nine rebounds.

Around the League

Indiana forward Chris Mullin was taken off the injured list and forward Al Harrington went on it for the third time this season. Mullin was on the injured list since March 17 with a torn calf muscle. Harrington has been having back problems all season. . . . The Philadelphia 76ers took forward George Lynch and guard Ira Bowman off the injured list and put center Nazr Mohammed and forward Antonio Lang on the injured list.