Knicks Extend Streak and Enter Record Book

Matching an NBA record that stood for more than 46 years, the New York Knicks held their opponent under 100 points for the 28th consecutive time Sunday night as they routed the Washington Wizards, 103-87, at Madison Square Garden.

Playing with their regular starting lineup for the first time since Nov. 17, the Knicks tied the sub-100 record set by the Fort Wayne Pistons at the start of the 1954-55 season when the NBA introduced the 24-second shot clock. It also was their seventh win in a row.

Marcus Camby scored 21 points, Allan Houston had 19 and Larry Johnson 15 for the Knicks, who took control early in the second quarter and opened a 23-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

No opponent has reached 100 against the Knicks since Boston scored 101 in an overtime loss Nov. 10. Over the entire season, the Knicks have held their opponent under 100 in 32 of 34 games.

Juwan Howard had 27 points to lead Washington, which has lost nine of its last 11 and 18 of 21 since late November.

Charlie Ward, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Nov. 26, returned to New York’s starting lineup after sitting out 21 games. He had seven points and four assists in 23 minutes.

Minnesota 108, Phoenix 88--The Timberwolves spoiled Penny Hardaway’s return to the Suns’ lineup with an easy victory.

Anthony Peeler had a season-high 28 points and career-high 10 rebounds as the Timberwolves, who shot 53%, snapped a four-game road losing streak.

Hardaway, who sat out the first 31 games while recovering from surgery on his right knee, made four of 10 shots for nine points and had three rebounds and three assists.

Kevin Garnett, who almost always struggles against the defense of the Suns’ Cliff Robinson, barely kept his string of double-digit scoring games alive at 245 with 11 points.

Vancouver 120, Milwaukee 117--Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 38 points as the Grizzlies used their highest-scoring game of the season to win at Vancouver, Canada.

The 120 points were a season high for the Grizzlies and one point off their franchise record. Abdur-Rahim’s 38 points was also one off his career high.

Damon Jones scored on a layup with 25.3 seconds left to give the Grizzlies a 119-117 advantage. The Bucks got the ball to Glenn Robinson, who missed a shot with 8.1 seconds left under pressure from Abdur-Rahim. Robinson scored 31 points for the Bucks, who are 2-8 against the Western Conference.

Toronto 94, Seattle 92--Alvin Williams scored the winning basket with 0.1 of a second left as the Raptors overcame a late injury to Vince Carter at Toronto.

Carter, who had a game-high 23 points, collided with teammate Morris Peterson trying to prevent Rashard Lewis’ dunk with 1:30 left and had to be helped off the floor because of a bruised right calf. He is not expected to miss any games.

Denver 94, Charlotte 87--Antonio McDyess scored 33 points, including four consecutive baskets down the stretch, and also had 16 rebounds to post his eighth double-double in a row.

Central Division-leading Charlotte, falling to 1-5 on its trip, was led by Eddie Robinson with 18 points. The Nuggets, who won their fourth in a row and ninth in their last 11, outscored the Hornets, 14-7, over the final four minutes.

Around the League

Guard James “Hollywood” Robinson signed a 10-day contract with the Orlando Magic. Robinson has played 375 NBA games with Portland, Minnesota and the Clippers, averaging 7.7 points and 1.9 assists a game. Last season, he played in Greece, averaging 19 points. . . . Rookie center Chris Mihm of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who bruised a bone in his right knee during Saturday night’s loss to Philadelphia, will sit out at least two games. The Cavaliers signed forward Etdrick Bohannon to a 10-day contract. Bohannon has played 20 games in the past three years for Indiana, Washington, New York and the Clippers.