SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Jan. 8
Houston at New York (7 p.m. EST). Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy returns to Madison Square Garden to face his former team, while recent acquisitions Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway make their home debuts for the Knicks.
STARS
Tuesday
—Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves, had 26 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists, leading Minnesota to a 106-90 win against the Lakers.
—Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers, had 25 points, nine rebounds and four blocks to help Indiana establish a season high in points in a 114-107 victory over Orlando.
—Peja Stojakovic, Kings, scored 28 points in Sacramento's fourth straight victory, 105-89 over Atlanta.
ROUGH START
Stephon Marbury, traded from Phoenix to New York with Penny Hardaway a day earlier, had eight points and eight assists in the Knicks' third straight loss Tuesday night, 107-96 to Cleveland.
DEFENSE
San Antonio has held opponents under 80 points 17 times this season, after doing so only 15 times last season. The Spurs beat the Wizards 94-72 on Tuesday night.
STREAKING
Sacramento has 26 straight home wins over Eastern Conference opponents. ... Cleveland has won six straight over New York at home and 10 of 11 against the Knicks. ... Indiana has a six-game winning streak.
SWINGS
San Antonio's 94-72 victory over Washington on Tuesday night was its 15th in 16 games; the Wizards lost their 13th in 16 games. ... Sacramento swept its two-game season series with Atlanta for just the second time since 1984-85.