Rice Finds Touch in Knicks’ Victory

Glen Rice was traded to the New York Knicks almost 10 weeks ago. His shot finally showed up Monday night.

Rice moved into the starting lineup and rediscovered his shooting touch, making five three-point baskets and scoring 23 points as the Knicks defeated the Vancouver Grizzlies, 97-72, at New York.

Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston also had big games as the Knicks started adjusting to the loss of point guard Charlie Ward, sidelined at least eight weeks after knee surgery.

Coach Jeff Van Gundy chose to start a big backcourt alignment, and the unit clicked. Houston scored 22 and Sprewell had 18.

“The way the three of us got into the offense, moving the ball and creating shots for one another--that’s just a small portion of what can happen,” said Rice, who had been shooting only 39% from the field--28% from three-point range--for a Knicks team that had failed to reach 90 points in seven of its previous eight games.

“Once the three of us get it going, you won’t see anything close to 75 points for us,” Rice said.

Rice had three of his three-pointers in the third quarter when the Knicks turned a six-point halftime lead into an 18-point advantage.

Mike Bibby had 17 points to lead Vancouver.

Milwaukee 104, Orlando 95--Ray Allen scored 23 points and Glenn Robinson added 21 at Orlando, Fla., to help the Bucks end a four-game losing streak.

Robinson, who missed two games because of flu, added eight rebounds and a season-high four blocked shots in 34 minutes.

Orlando played its second consecutive game without Tracy McGrady (infected left hand). The Magic was led by Pat Garrity, who had a season-high 21 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter.

Orlando committed 17 turnovers in losing for the sixth time in its last seven games.