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.

MOVING ON

Charlie Ward was waived by Phoenix on Tuesday, one day after being acquired in an eight-player trade that sent Stephon Marbury to New York. Ward, a 10-year NBA veteran, had a clause in his contract allowing it to be bought out before Jan. 10.

SNOWED OUT

A winter storm forced Portland to postpone its game against Memphis on Tuesday night. The game was rescheduled for March 3.

STRONG IN DEFEAT

Tracy McGrady scored 43 points, making eight of 11 3-pointers, in Orlando's 114-107 loss to Indiana on Tuesday night.

SPEAKING

``He's the best rookie ever. I can't describe it any more than that _ he's that good.'' _ Newly acquired New York Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury on Cleveland's LeBron James, who had 14 points and 10 assists in a 107-96 victory Tuesday night.