New York earns first victory of season

The Knicks held the Magic to 25 percent shooting and won 75-68 on Monday night to avoid their second 0-3 start in as many seasons. Last year, New York lost its first four games.

The Magic's 21-for-84 night was New York's best defensive effort in its lengthy history and Orlando's worst shooting performance in the franchise's 15 years.

"It feels good to win, to win the way we did, on the road against our big nemesis," said Charlie Ward, who led New York with 15 points and five assists. "But any win is good."

Keith Van Horn added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Othella Harrington had 12 points.

Almost 18 years have passed since a Knicks squad had such a dominant game on defense. On Dec. 19, 1985, New York held the Indiana Pacers to 25.7 percent shooting.

Leading New York's defense was Kurt Thomas -- five blocks and 11 rebounds -- and Dikembe Mutombo -- three blocks and seven rebounds.

"Every time (Orlando) penetrated, they were there. That's what we have to have," Knicks coach Don Chaney said.

"Our team defense this season has been really good," Van Horn said. "We've just got to get our offense going, and I have confidence that it will get going."

New York shot 40 percent, including 1-of-12 on 3-point attempts, and committed 20 turnovers. Van Horn missed 16 of 20 shots after scoring 29 last week against Orlando in the season opener.

The Magic's previous worst shooting performance was 28.6 percent at Philadelphia on March 15, 1999. But a 2-for-15 second quarter and 4-for-16 fourth quarter helped beat that record by three misses.

Orlando coach Doc Rivers looked at a stat sheet after the game and saw that his team got a 9-for-30 night from the starting backcourt of Tracy McGrady and Tyronn Lue, a 9-for-31 outing from the front line of Juwan Howard, Drew Gooden and Steven Hunter plus a 3-for-23 performance from the bench. Rivers summed up the night in four words.

"We're not that good," he said.

McGrady scored 19 points on 5-for-20 shooting to top the Magic, who lost their opening three home games for the first time in the franchise's 15-year history. McGrady also didn't make a 3-pointer in four tries, breaking the NBA's longest active streak of 53 straight games with a 3.

"We want it to happen right away," said McGrady, explaining that patience is needed for a roster featuring four free agents and three rookies.

"But with the new faces around here having to learn our offense, it's definitely a big challenge," McGrady said.

New York led by 15 early in the third quarter, but Orlando rallied within two at 54-52 on Howard's two free throws with 4.8 seconds left in the period.

But Ward then made a pair of free throws after he took advantage of the Magic's defensive breakdown and drove the length of the court.

"That was one of the bigger plays of the game," Rivers said. "(Ward) just outran our guys. We had a foul to give, too, which is even worse."

That was the start of eight unanswered points for the Knicks, and Orlando never again came within four.

Rivers, in a try for more interior defense, made a change in his lineup. Hunter started at center, with rookie forward Britton Johnsen taking a seat after three starts.

Hunter, making his 27th career start, made Rivers' decision look good early. He blocked a shot and altered at least two more in the opening 6:04. The Knicks shot just 2-for-12 with six points in that span.

New York finished the first quarter shooting 27 percent -- 6-for-22 -- with misses on all six 3-point tries. Orlando's accuracy was little better -- it shot 30 percent on 9-of-30 shooting with a stretch of eight consecutive misses, but led 19-17 after one period.

The Knicks were the first to find their accuracy, shooting 10-for-19 in the second quarter for a 41-31 halftime lead. Michael Doleac led the charge, with three mid-range jumpers.

Meanwhile, the Magic shot 2-of-15 in the period and were booed at the buzzer. Orlando's 12 points in the second quarter were a season worst. The Magic had 13 in the fourth quarter while losing to Detroit 96-85 on Saturday.

Game notes
Dating to the preseason and last year's playoffs, Orlando has lost its last eight home games ... Orlando guard Gordan Giricek missed his second straight game because of a strained arch in his right foot.