The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - Ron Artest had 15 points and held NBA scoring leader Tracy McGrady 20 points under his average as the Indiana Pacers beat the Orlando Magic 106-70 Friday night for the best start in franchise history.

It was Indiana's ninth straight victory and boosted its Eastern Conference-leading record to 10-1, bettering the 9-1 start by the 1969-70 Pacers in the old American Basketball Association.

With Grant Hill missing his second game in a week because of a sore ankle, the Magic had four early turnovers and missed their first 11 shots before a basket by McGrady almost six minutes into the first quarter. By then, Indiana's lead was 10-2, and the Pacers were never threatened after that.

The 36-point margin was Indiana's biggest since a 136-88 victory over Cleveland in 1999.

McGrady, who came in with a 33.2 average after scoring at least 30 in a team-record seven straight games, had eight points in the first half and finished with 13 on 6-for-19 shooting with five turnovers.

The Pacers missed their first five shots but hit nine straight after that and opened a 20-6 lead on a basket and free throw by Ron Mercer.

Nets 120, Cavaliers 79

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Former Cincinnati Bearcats star Kenyon Martin had 21 points and 10 rebounds and the New Jersey Nets, after being scolded by their coach, hit 14 of their first 15 shots in a victory over Cleveland.

The energetic Nets hit 16 of 20 shots in the first quarter after being ripped by coach Byron Scott over a pitiful performance against Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

Neither was the game, especially after the Nets missed only four shots in taking a 37-22 first-quarter lead. The margin grew to 21 in the second quarter and eventually got as high as 44 as New Jersey sent Cleveland to its ninth straight loss.

The Nets' points, margin of victory (41) and final shooting percentage (53.7 percent) were all season-highs. The loss was also Cleveland's worst of the season. The previous worst was 27.

76ers 90, Raptors 80

PHILADELPHIA - Allen Iverson scored 31 points and Keith Van Horn added 13 points and 10 rebounds, leading Philadelphia over Toronto.

Philadelphia won for the fifth time in six games, improved to 7-0 at the First Union Center and 9-4 overall.

Antonio Davis had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Alvin Williams added 15 points for the Raptors, who have lost four straight. Toronto was without Vince Carter for the sixth straight game because of a strained left quadriceps tendon.