ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Stephon Marbury had 34 points and seven assists Monday while leading the New York Knicks to a 119-111 victory over the Orlando Magic.
The Knicks never trailed and held on for their second straight win. Allan Houston, Tim Thomas and Jerome Williams each added 15 points for New York, which remains atop the Atlantic Division standings after winning six of its last nine games.
Steve Francis had 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Orlando, which has dropped five of of its last seven. Cuttino Mobley added 24 points and Grant Hill 17 as the Magic rallied to cut a 19-point deficit to six points.
The Knicks got off to a quick start, scoring the first nine points of the game and led 30-24 after a quarter and 71-54 at halftime.
