Knicks complete critical trip at 3-0

Seven of them, to be exact.

The Knicks claimed their third straight win, all on the road, when they routed the Orlando Magic 114-86 Monday night. It's the longest run of success they've had outside Madison Square Garden since Nov. 7-10, 1996.

``The big thing for us right now is our defense,'' Knicks coach Don Chaney said after his team limited Orlando to 33.7 percent shooting. ``We're talking more, covering all the areas and really following the game plan.''

New York had as much success offensively as it did defensively, shooting 55 percent from the field. That included 15-of-26 shooting from 3-point territory against Orlando's zone defense.

``We've made a commitment to defense and we're sticking to it,'' added Allan Houston, who contributed 18 points and six assists. ``It's been a contagious mindset for this team and it really has made the game easier at the other end.''

Houston and Frank Williams each had four of New York's 15 3-pointers -- one shy of the team record.

Keith Van Horn led the Knicks with 19 points and 10 rebounds, but it was the surprising shooting of point guards Williams and Charlie Ward that turned the game into a rout early.

New York led by as many 22 in the first half and held a 28-point lead, 92-64, when the starters left at the end of the third period.

``They beat us when we were in zone defense, they beat us when we were in man-to-man, they beat every defense we tried against them,'' Magic coach Johnny Davis said. ``Defense is just effort, and I didn't see much effort from our team tonight.''

Williams, making his second start, hit seven of nine shots and tied his career high with 18 points. Ward hit five of six shots, three of them 3-pointers, on his way to 13 points and five assists.

``We had a great shooting night, but a lot of that was because of our defense, Williams said. ``We got a lot of good shots in transition, and when you're making shots like we have been, it does feel like it's easy.''

The Magic played the final three quarters without All-Star Tracy McGrady, who suffered a strained hip flexor and is listed as day-to-day. McGrady said his hip has been hurting for a few weeks, but he aggravated it during warm-ups.

McGrady took only two shots in 11 minutes and missed both, the first time he has been scoreless since joining the Magic three seasons ago.

``I've been playing with it for a while, but it's real painful right now,'' McGrady said. ``We don't play again until Friday so I have some time to gettreatment. I don't know how long it's going to keep me out.''

Notes:
McGrady's previous low in a Magic uniform was four points against Minnesota earlier this season. Van Horn is shooting 51 percent (49 of 97) from the field and averaging 20.9 points in his last seven games. ... New York has held its last three opponents under 40 percent shooting from the field. Orlandoshot 33.7 percent (29 of 86). ... The Magic are now 3-13 at home this season.