On a brisk day of coming and going in the NBA, Patrick Ewing showed he intends to stick around for awhile.
Ewing, the target of criticism and trade rumors this week, matched his season high with 20 points to lead the New York Knicks over the Portland Trail Blazers 98-88 Thursday night."When my number is called, I do the best I can," Ewing said. "I knew I'd be a significant contributor. I don't need other people to motivate me. I motivate myself."
Earlier in the day, Dennis Rodman signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Also, Chris Ford was fired as coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, with assistant Jim Todd taking over.
Hampered by injuries the past three years, Ewing missed the first 20 games this season with tendinitis in his Achilles. His relationship with coach Jeff Van Gundy has deteriorated, and so has his playing time.
"I'm not going to complain about minutes," Ewing said.
Benched for the final 17 minutes in Tuesday night's loss to Orlando, he woke up Wednesday to a story in the newspaper that said the Knicks discussed a deal that would've sent him to Washington.
MAVERICKS 106, HORNETS 96: Rodman was not at Reunion Arena to see his new team beat Charlotte. Michael Finley scored 32 points, including seven in a row to start the fourth quarter. Rodman, 38, has been out of the league since the Los Angeles Lakers cut him after 23 games last April. He's expected to make his debut for Dallas on Wednesday at home against Seattle.
ROCKETS 109, SIXERS 106:The Rockets retired Clyde Drexler's No. 22 jersey, then saw Shandon Anderson score a career-high 32 points as Houston beat Philadelphia. Allen Iverson had 40 points for the Sixers. Anderson had nine during a 15-0 run that began late in the third quarter and sent Houston to its third straight victory.
SPURS 112, RAPTORS 95:Tim Duncan had 32 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists as San Antonio slowed down Vince Carter and visiting Toronto.
Earlier this season, the high-flying Carter scored 39 points against the Spurs. In the rematch, they double-teamed him most of the game and held him to 19 points -- five below his average -- and no dunks.