Slow start: New-look Knicks fall to Cavs

LeBron James' 10 assists and Zydrunas Ilgauskas' 24 points led the Cleveland Cavaliers over the new-look Knicks 107-96 Tuesday night.

Marbury, traded from Phoenix to New York along with Penny Hardaway a day earlier, had just eight points and eight assists after being cleared to play 30 minutes before tipoff.

The Brooklyn, N.Y., native was emotional after the game in describing what it felt like to don his new uniform.

``I touched it and felt the number. It's a beautiful jersey,'' Marbury said. ``I like everything about this team. We have so many guys who can play.''

James had 14 points on a poor shooting night, but his assists tied his career high. Eric Williams hit baskets at several key points and finished with a season-high 22.

``He's the best rookie ever,'' Marbury said of James. ``I can't describe it any more than that -- he's that good.''

For much of the game, New York resembled a team that hadn't practiced together.

Marbury and Hardaway were forced to sit out the morning shootaround because the players traded to Phoenix hadn't completed their physical exams. They received clearance from the league office just before tipoff.

``We kind of didn't know whether we were going to play or not, so we couldn't get into a routine. It was last-minute. That's tough,'' Marbury said.

Hardaway shot 3-for-9 for six points. Keith Van Horn led New York with 20 points and Allan Houston had 18.

``I didn't really play like I normally do because I was so excited,'' Marbury said. ``I was trying to learn the guys -- that will come.''

Cleveland trailed by as many as nine in the first half, but went on a 23-3 run to take a 56-45 halftime lead. New York didn't make a field goal over the last 6:57 of the second quarter.

New York tried to make a run after trailing by 17 with under 11 minutes left, but it was too late.

The Knicks shot just 41 percent, left the Cavaliers wide open for jump shots and committed costly fouls.

The Cavaliers capitalized by shooting 87 percent from the free throw line and nearly 48 percent from the floor, far exceeding their season averages.

Ilgauskas, who has been the subject of trade rumors, shot 8-for-15, made all eight of his free throws and had seven rebounds.

``(Ilgauskas) rose to the occasion tonight and he's capable,'' Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said. ``This is the kind of performance that we need from him every night.''

James credited he teammates for picking him up on his off shooting night (6-for-17).

``I'm going to need that down the road,'' James said. ``Every night I'm not going to have my A-game on offense.''

Dajuan Wagner and DeSagana Diop returned from knee injuries. Wagner, in his season debut, had four points in eight minutes. Diop had five rebounds and a blocked shot in 14 minutes.

Williams led the Cavaliers' second-quarter surge with 12 points. James hadeight first-half assists.

Notes:
Cleveland has won six straight over New York at home and 10 of the last 11. ... Dikembe Mutombo needs 10 blocked shots to surpass David Robinson for fourth place on the all-time list. ... Cleveland's 38-point second quarter was its highest point total in a quarter this season. ... Van Horn has scored atleast 20 points in eight of his last nine games.