Knicks get Francis from Magic

Steve Francis was traded Wednesday from the Orlando Magic to the last-place New York Knicks, who hope that pairing him in the backcourt with Stephon Marbury will help turn around the team’s dismal season.

The Knicks sent Penny Hardaway and Trevor Ariza to Orlando. Though Marbury and Francis essentially play the same position, the Knicks are confident it will work out.

“We just want ballplayers,” New York coach Larry Brown said. “I don’t get caught up in positions. I think Steve is strong enough to guard 2s and quick enough to guard 1s.”

Francis was averaging 16.2 points to lead the Magic, but the star guard has feuded with coach Brian Hill this season. By dealing him for Hardaway’s expiring contract, the Magic will get salary cap relief after this season and will be in even better position when Grant Hill’s deal expires next year.

“We’ll miss Steve in a lot of ways,” Orlando assistant general manager Otis Smith said. “We’ll miss the passion he brought for the game, we’ll miss the energy he brought for the game, but I think we’ll be better off in the future.”

•New Orleans point guard Speedy Claxton missed the Hornets’ game against Utah with a sprained left ankle.

• Utah rookie Andre Owens will miss the rest of the season after having surgery to replace a rod in his leg.

On the court

Tracy McGrady has put whatever personal problems he had behind him.

McGrady, who averaged just 15 points in his last three games, followed up his 36-point performance in the All-Star game with 26 points to help the Houston Rockets to a 106-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night in Houston.

As for what was bothering him, he still wouldn’t say. But he insists it’s in the past.

“That’s over with,” he said. “It’s time to move on. We’re not even mentioning that. I’m not going to talk about it.”

His emotional improvement along with Yao Ming’s 29 points and 15 rebounds was enough to hold off the Clippers.

Suns 103, Celtics 94: At Phoenix, Shawn Marion scored a career-high 44 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, carrying Phoenix over Boston for its fifth consecutive win.

76ers 116, Cavaliers 107: At Philadelphia, Allen Iverson scored 29 points and had 12 assists, Andre Iguodala had 25 points and Chris Webber 24 to lead Philadelphia over Cleveland.

Bobcats 110, Trail Blazers 106: At Portland, Kareem Rush scored 28 points and Charlotte beat Portland to snap a 12-game road losing streak.

Bulls 97, Bucks 91: At Chicago, Kirk Hinrich scored 26 points and Ben Gordon scored all 19 of his points in the second half to lead Chicago over Milwaukee.

Nets 96, Magic 93: At East Rutherford, N.J., Jason Kidd scored 28 points and made two free throws with 18 seconds left to help New Jersey defeat Orlando.

Heat 103, Knicks 83: At New York, Dwyane Wade and Jason Williams had 24 points and five assists apiece as Miami beat New York for its fourth straight win.

Jazz 82, Hornets 76: At Oklahoma City, Deron Williams scored eight of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and Andrei Kirilenko had 17 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocks to help Utah rally for a win against New Orleans.