Indiana at Dallas (8 p.m. EST). The Pacers take the NBA's best record (27-10) to Dallas.

STAR

Thursday

Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves, had 26 points and 14 rebounds in Minnesota's 96-75 rout of Portland.

WELCOME BACK

Brooklyn product Stephon Marbury made his home debut for New York on Thursday night, and former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy returned as coach of the Rockets. Houston routed New York 111-79.

STREAKING

Minnesota won its seventh straight home game Thursday night, 96-75 over Portland.

FAST START

Houston scored 23 of the first 25 points and went on to beat New York 111-79 Thursday night in Stephon Marbury's home debut with the Knicks.

SHAQ'S STRAIN

An MRI taken on Shaquille O'Neal's strained right calf revealed no serious damage Thursday, but the Los Angeles Lakers' star will miss at least two more games. O'Neal will sit out Friday night's game against Atlanta and Monday night's game against Cleveland.

SPEAKING

``Awful, awful. We played like strangers at both ends of the floor.'' _ Knicks coach Don Chaney, whose team lost to Houston 111-79 Thursday night amid chants of ``Fire Chaney'' from the New York fans.