Miami's fast start to play-off

Basketball

The Miami Heat raced to a 25-point first-quarter lead before beating Orlando Magic 99-64. Orlando's points total equalled the National Basketball Association record for fewest points in a play-off game.

With a 35-10 advantage, the Heat held the second-largest lead after one quarter in league play-off history. Milwaukee led Philadelphia 40-14 in 1970.

The Magic have never won a play-off series after losing the first game. The second game takes place tomorrow.

Voshon Lenard outscored Orlando 11-10 in the first period and finished with 24 points, including six three-pointers. The Magic made just 26 of 85 shots. Miami's Alonzo Mourning had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots. Tim Hardaway added 13 points and 11 assists.

Four players took turns guarding Orlando's Penny Hardaway, who was 6- for-16 and scored 13 points. His teammate Derek Strong had 15 points.

In the other play-off game in New York, the Knicks beat the Charlotte Hornets 109-99. John Starks, who was presented with his Sixth Man Award trophy prior to the game for being the best reserve player, put the Knicks ahead for the last time with one of their five three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Allan Houston, the player Starks lost his starting job to at the start of this season, added three three-pointers and scored 13 of his 25 points in the final quarter as the Knicks pulled away after losing a 13-point half-time lead.

Starks and Houston were among five Knicks' players in double figures on a night when Patrick Ewing scored only 15.