NEW YORK - A chorus of "Fire Chaney" chants echoed through Madison Square Garden on a night that was supposed to be all about Stephon Marbury's home debut and former coach Jeff Van Gundy's return.
In a game that turned into a blowout moments after the opening tip, Van Gundy's Houston Rockets scored 23 of the game's first 25 points to humiliate the revamped Knicks 111-79 Thursday night.
The loss was the fourth in a row for the Knicks, their second straight since acquiring Marbury and Penny Hardaway in an eight-player trade with Phoenix. Marbury played poorly for the second straight game, scoring six on 3-for-12 shooting. Hardaway had five.
Steve Francis dominated the point guard matchup with Marbury, scoring 27 with six assists. Every Houston starter reached double figures.
Moochie Norris and Keith Van Horn had 17 to lead the Knicks.
WOLVES 96, BLAZERS 75: Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 14 rebounds, and Latrell Sprewell scored 25 to lead Minnesota to its seventh straight victory at home and 14th in the past 17 overall. The Blazers did not arrive in Minneapolis until 3:15 a.m. Thursday due to hazardous weather in Portland.
JAZZ: Jerry Sloan plans on coaching the team while his wife undergoes treatment for pancreatic cancer, though he will miss tonight's game at Denver and others to be with her. Bobbye Sloan, 60, who was treated for breast cancer six years ago, has been ill the past few weeks.
LAKERS: An MRI taken on Shaquille O'Neal's strained right calf revealed no serious damage, but he will miss at least two more games. The Lakers have lost four straight.
NETS: Troubled forward Eddie Griffin practiced for the first time with his new team, appearing rusty and out of shape after signing earlier in the day. The 6-foot-10 free agent was waived on Dec. 19 by Houston, where in separate cases he was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and marijuana possession.
SPURS: Guard Charlie Ward, traded by the Knicks and waived by the Suns, told TNT he has decided to sign with San Antonio, the defending NBA champion. An announcement is expected today.
