Ewing returns as Knicks beat 76ers

Patrick Ewing returned without his touch, although he still remembered how to rebound and shoot free throws well enough to help the New York Knicks to an 85-78 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

Patrick Ewing returned without his touch, although he still remembered how to rebound and shoot free throws well enough to help the New York Knicks to an 85-78 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

Ewing, playing his first game since June 1 after recovering from a partially torn Achilles' tendon, shot 0-for-8 from the field and 7-for-8 from the line.

He also had 10 rebounds and five fouls in 30 minutes, and his foul shooting down the stretch helped the Knicks hold off the Sixers.

Latrell Sprewell scored 31 points to lead the Knicks.

Celtics 100, Rockets 96

In Boston, the Houston Rockets came all the way back from a 25-point deficit but couldn't go ahead and lost to the Celtics.

Charles Barkley, dressed all in black after a knee injury ended his career Wednesday, was honored at a halftime ceremony when Boston held a 62-45 lead after being ahead 52-27. Then he returned to watch from the bench and the Rockets rallied.

They trailed 77-67 after the third quarter and 89-80 with 7:10 remaining. A 9-0 run tied the game at 89 with 4:47 left.

Then the Celtics went ahead to stay on a 3-pointer by Paul Pierce, who had 19 points, and a 15-footer by Kenny Anderson, who led them with 20.

Pacers 136, Cavaliers 88

In Indianapolis, Rik Smits scored 16 of his 25 points in a near-perfect first quarter, and Jalen Rose added 23 points as Indiana won its fifth straight.

Dale Davis added 18 points and 20 rebounds, and the final margin of 48 points was the Pacers' largest ever against Cleveland, topping a 36-point win in 1981.

Smits, 9-for-10 from the field, hit all six of his shots and four of five free throws in the opening period. His teammates weren't far off that pace, either, missing only four shots from the field for a 42-25 lead.

Bucks 107, Raptors 91

In Toronto, Sam Cassell and Glenn Robinson each scored 22 points as Milwaukee ended Toronto's three-game winning streak.

The Bucks, playing their fifth game in seven nights, had lost two straight.

Vince Carter had 25 points and had nine rebounds and four assists for Toronto.

Warriors 107, Hawks 99

In Atlanta, Mookie Blaylock had 19 assists and seven steals against his former team and Chris Mills had 20, as Golden State snapped an 11-game losing streak.

The Hawks, who traded Blaylock to Golden State this summer, were led by J.R. Rider's 34 points.

Hornets 106, Nuggets 99

In Charlotte, Anthony Mason had 21 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Hornets to their eighth straight win over Denver.

Brad Miller scored 17 points for Charlotte and David Wesley added 14.

Raef LaFrentz and Nick Van Exel paced the Nuggets with 20 points each.

Pistons 107, Clippers 83

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Grant Hill had 27 points and 12 rebounds as Detroit handed the Los Angeles Clippers their eighth straight loss.

Detroit won for the third time in four games to reach .500 at 10-10. The Clippers, who haven't won since beating the Knicks on Nov. 23, fell to 4-15.

The Pistons got 23 points from Jerry Stackhouse and 17 points and 12 rebounds from Jerome Williams.

Michael Olowokandi led the Clippers with 16 points.