Chris Duhon had a franchise-record 22 assists, David Lee had career highs of 37 points and 21 rebounds, and the New York Knicks rang up a record-setting 82 points in the first half in a 138-125 victory over Golden State on Saturday night.
Duhon set up Lee (Chaminade Prep) for numerous dunks against the defenseless Warriors, who completed a winless five-game Eastern trip and looked as if they couldn't wait to get home. One of the slams, with 3:09 remaining, allowed Duhon to break Richie Guerin's franchise record of 21 assists set on Dec. 12, 1958. The Knicks raced to an 82-64 halftime lead behind 20 points from Lee. His basket with 3.4 seconds left let New York shatter the record for most first-half points at the present Madison Square Garden, set when Kansas City scored 81 on Dec. 8, 1979.
Al Harrington, traded from the Warriors to the Knicks last week, added 36 points and 12 rebounds. Wilson Chandler scored 16 points for the banged-up Knicks, who used only seven players. Guard Stephon Marbury was suspended for the game after the team said he refused to play in a loss at Detroit on Wednesday. Team president Donnie Walsh said he plans to meet with the Marbury and the players' association Monday in hopes of finding a solution to the controversy.
Jamal Crawford, sent to Golden State for Harrington, had 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Hawks 102, WIZARDS 98 - Al Horford's three-point play with 12.4 seconds remaining broke a tie in Atlanta's victory on the road.
With the Hawks leading 101-98, Washington's DeShawn Stevenson was fouled by Mike Bibby with 6.9 seconds to play, but he missed both free throws. Maurice Evans hit one of two free throws with 5.7 seconds left to complete the scoring. Evans had 19 points for Atlanta. Antawn Jamison led Washington with 26 points and 13 rebounds.
Magic 110, PACERS 96 - Dwight Howard had a season-high 32 points, 21 rebounds and four blocks, and Rashard Lewis added 24 points to help host Orlando beat Indiana.
Celtics 89, Bobcats 84 - Paul Pierce scored 19 points to help visiting Boston win its eighth straight game.
Kendrick Perkins had 15 points and 12 rebounds, Ray Allen added 15 points, Tony Allen had 11, and Eddie House and Kevin Garnett 10 each for the defending NBA champion. The Celtics improved to 16-2.
Gerald Wallace scored 23 points for the Bobcats.
NUGGETS 106, TIMBERWOLVES 97 - Chauncey Billups scored a season-high 27 points in three quarters, Carmelo Anthony added 25 points and 10 rebounds, and visiting Denver beat Minnesota.
Magic - Orlando guard Mickael Pietrus will be out three to five weeks because of a torn ligament in his right thumb. Pietrus averages nearly 13 points and is one of the Magic's main 3-point shooters.
