NBA

Hill keys Magic win over Knicks

ORLANDO - Grant Hill's return has made the Magic a better team.

In his seventh game back from surgery, Hill made several key baskets and scored 26, and Steve Francis had 17 points and six assists as Orlando beat the New York Knicks 105-95 Wednesday night.

"You can't say too much about Grant," Magic guard DeShawn Stevenson said. "He does everything. Guards, defends, and gets into the penalty. I think he played awesome tonight and he's our leader. We've got to feed off him."

The Magic spoiled a strong performance from New York's Eddy Curry. Playing in just his second game after missing four straight with a sprained ankle, Curry had a season-high 29 points and nine rebounds. However, he left in the fourth quarter with a strained right calf.

With 27 offensive rebounds, the Knicks had plenty of chances to score, but shot just 36 percent. New York's reserves outscored its starters 75-20 - helped by Curry and 24 points from Jamal Crawford. Stephon Marbury had five points, shooting 0-for-7 from the field.

The Knicks fell to 2-11 this month and 7-20 overall.

The Knicks didn't make a fourth-quarter field goal until 8:14 was left in the period, and only Curry kept them in it at first, making two free throws, a layup and a three-point play on consecutive possessions.

Crawford's 3-pointer got New York within six points with 2:11 left, but Hill made two free throws a minute later to ice the game.

"I've played 35 and 38 minutes the last two games. I'm not laboring out there, I'm not tired. I'm getting my second wind," Hill said. "I feel better - hopefully that'll continue. Not necessarily by scoring points every night, but just being able to contribute and not feeling lost and out of shape and out of rhythm like I did last week."

All five Magic starters scored in double figures. DeShawn Stevenson had 14, Tony Battie 13 and 10 rebounds, and Dwight Howard 11 points and eight rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

[Last modified December 29, 2005, 00:52:13]