Charlie Ward and Shammond Williams go for the loose ball

In a matchup of what appeared to be two varsity high school squads, New York managed to pull away in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to beat the Orlando Magic 75-68, avenging their opening night loss less than a week ago.

Coach Don Chaney wasn’t happy with the way the team played offensively in its first two contests, and challenged his players to step it up. They declined, but it didn’t matter, as Orlando continued to look nothing like the offensive juggernaut that took the Atlantic Division by storm last season, failing to reach 90 points yet again. The Magic have lost six of their last seven games since taking a 3 games to 1 lead over the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2003 NBA Playoffs. This time out, they shot a franchise low 25% from the field.

Charlie Ward led the Knicks with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Keith Van Horn added 14 points and 8 rebounds, but shot just 4 of 20 from the field, a bad result even by Latrell Sprewell’s standards. The victory was slightly dampened by news that Allan Houston had reaggravated the injury to his knee. Houson left the game in the third quarter, and did not return.

The Knicks and Magic were both stagnant to begin the game. The first quarter ended with a 19-17 Magic lead, and it appeared that more was in store for the second period—but New York finally came alive offensively thanks largely in part to Ward and surprise contributor Michael Doleac, who hit three straight field goals. New York pulled away by double digits, while Orlando shot just 2-15 and scored 12 points.

New York went ahead by as much as 15 early in the third, but the home team finally managed to rouse the slumbering TD Waterhouse faithful with a 15-4 run that brought them within two in the final 5 seconds.

The Knicks regained their composure in the final 12 minutes, thanks to the heroics of Othella Harrington, who played his heart out perhaps to increase his trade value for the coming days. Harrington had 12 points in the quarter. An alley oop from Ward to Van Horn sealed the win with two minutes remaining.

Kurt Thomas had just 4 points for the Knicks, but was superb on the defensive end for the night, finishing with 11 rebounds and 5 blocks, 3 against Juwan Howard who was held to just 4 of 15 shooting. Double teams of Tracy McGrady proved equally effective, as he was held to just 5 for 20 shooting with 19 points.

Shandon Anderson added 8 points and 5 rebounds for the Knicks. Frank Williams chipped in with 4 assists. For the first time this season, Mike Sweetney did not play. Clarence Weatherspoon didn’t play either, as he apparently reaggravated his left hamstring. Doleac contributed 6 points and 3 rebounds, and is legitimizing the rumors that he is practically untradeable this season.

Don Chaney, who has been under fire for his lineup decisions early on was forced to go to an Anderson, Eisley, Ward rotation late, but this time it paid off.

The Knicks’ defense has been reminiscent of the Van Gundy era recently, perhaps due to the tutelage of ex Atlanta Hawks coach Lon Kruger. New York hasn’t allowed an opponent to reach 90 points in its first 3 games.

Another 0-3 start was avoided with this first win of the season. New York meets the young Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.

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