Lewis bummed former team off to such franchise-worst start
Rashard Lewis wanted to show the Seattle SuperSonics what they were missing. He wished it hadn't come in his former team's NBA-leading eighth consecutive loss.
Lewis scored 22 points, 19 in the first half, against the franchise that drafted him out of high school nine years ago, and the Magic won 103-76 Tuesday night in Orlando, Fla.
The SuperSonics have not won since April 7 of last season, when Lewis was still on their side and went for 35 points against the Utah Jazz. It is the worst start in franchise history, surpassing an 0-6 streak in 1969-70.
"I kind of root for some of those guys, especially the way they've started off," Lewis said. "I wanted them to get rolling, at least get a couple of wins under their belt. Like I said, I'm still close friends with some of the guys on the team, so I wish them the best."
Two other NBA teams are winless, but Minnesota and Golden State have only played five games. The loss opened a five-game East Coast road trip for Seattle, which will get another chance today against Miami.
The Magic improved to 6-2, despite committing 26 turnovers.
Kevin Durant continued to struggle from the field as Seattle shot a season-worst 34 percent. The heralded rookie was 2-for-8 in the first half, getting just 4 points off a dunk and fast-break layup. He didn't make his first jumper until the third quarter, and finished with 10 points on 4-for-13 shooting.
"I'm just playing basketball," Durant said. "The spotlight is coming from the media -- I try not to get into that. I just want to play basketball and try and get better and help my team get better."
Suns 113, Knicks 102: Amare Stoudemire had his best night since his arthroscopic knee surgery six weeks ago with 26 points and 12 rebounds, and host Phoenix beat severely depleted New York.
The Knicks were without three starters, including Stephon Marbury, who abruptly left the team earlier in the day and reportedly returned to New York as the Knicks opened a four-game road trip.
WNBC New York and The New York Post reported Marbury sent them text messages to say he had Thomas' permission to leave the team.
"I would never leave my team on my own," Marbury told The Post. "What I'm telling you is that I got permission to leave from Isiah. He said I could go home."
Thomas would only confirm Marbury had left and that the guard would be welcome back.
"That is an in-house matter, and we'll continue to keep it in-house," Thomas said after the shootaround. "However, he is welcome back, and we want him as a member of this team."
Celtics 101, Pacers 86: Paul Pierce scored 31 points, and visiting Boston beat Indiana to remain unbeaten. Pierce made 14 of 14 free throws and had 11 rebounds.
Kevin Garnett added 18 points and 11 rebounds, his sixth double-double in six games, as Boston (6-0) matched its best start since the 1987-88 season. Boston still is chasing its best start, 14 straight wins to begin the 1957-58 season.
Bobcats 91, Heat 76: Gerald Wallace scored 19 points and Jason Richardson added 18 to lead host Charlotte over Miami.
Miami's Shaquille O'Neal had 17 points and 6 rebounds, but got little help. While O'Neal shot 7-of-14, the other four starters combined to shoot 9-for-34 as Wade missed his seventh straight game due to off-season knee surgery.
Spurs 107, Lakers 92: Tony Parker had 26 points and 9 assists, and host San Antonio beat Los Angeles for a fourth straight victory.
Bruce Bowen went 6 of 6 from 3-point range for the Spurs and finished with 23 points.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 18 points, well below the 30.4 he was averaging before the game.
Mavericks 99, Sixers 84: Jason Terry scored 12 of his 25 points during Dallas' 23-11 third-quarter run and the host Mavericks rallied to beat Philadelphia.
Grizzlies 105, Rockets 99: Pau Gasol scored 26 points, including 4 free throws in the final minute, and host Memphis overcame 41 points from Tracy McGrady to beat Houston.