The Associated Press

NEW YORK - A chorus of "Fire Chaney" chants echoed through Madison Square Garden on a night that was supposed to be all about Stephon Marbury's home debut and Jeff Van Gundy's return.

In a game that turned into a blowout just moments after the opening tip, Van Gundy's Houston Rockets scored 23 of the game's first 25 points to humiliate the revamped New York Knicks 111-79 Thursday night.

The buzz that filled the building turned into boos in a matter of minutes as coach Don Chaney's team came out flat. The first "Fire Chaney" chant began with 6:49 remaining in the first quarter after the Knicks fell behind 19-2, and the chant was revived and got louder several times.

The loss was the fourth in a row for the Knicks, their second straight since acquiring Marbury and Penny Hardaway in an eight-player trade with Phoenix.

Timberwolves 96, Trail Blazers 75

MINNEAPOLIS - Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 14 rebounds, and Latrell Sprewell scored 25 points for Minnesota. Sam Cassell added 10 points and 11 assists for Minnesota, which has won 14 of 17 and seven straight at home.

LAKERS: An MRI taken on Shaquille O'Neal's strained right calf revealed no serious damage, but the Los Angeles Lakers' star will miss at least two more games.

JAZZ: Jerry Sloan plans on coaching Utah while his wife undergoes treatment for pancreatic cancer. Sloan said he will miss tonight's game at Denver and others to be with his wife.