Knicks' Thomas puts spin on losing

Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said yesterday that you have to put his team's 6-13 record in perspective.

"You look at our conference, there's a lot of teams with 10 or 13 losses, and just a lot of teams in the situation we're in right now," he said yesterday after practice. "Got to keep working to get yourself out of it."

New York, last in the Atlantic Division, hosts Dallas tonight, possibly without Stephon Marbury. Marbury didn't practice yesterday and has struggled through two games since his father's death.

Thomas, reportedly, is not in danger of losing his job despite the team's record. There were reports yesterday that Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan supports Thomas.

Thomas refused to directly address his conversations with Dolan, but acknowledged having the support of his boss.

In yesterday's games:

* At Los Angeles, Dwyane Wade had 35 points and 10 assists and Miami snapped a five-game skid with a 100-94 victory over the Clippers, giving coach Pat Riley his 1,200th victory. Riley is the third NBA coach to reach 1,200 wins and he reached it in his 1,842nd game, faster than any other coach.

* At Toronto, Chris Bosh had 21 points and 10 rebounds in his return to the lineup to help lead the Raptors over Houston, 93-80.

* At Portland, Brandon Roy scored 21 points, including a go-ahead layup in overtime, and the Trail Blazers beat Milwaukee, 117-113.

* At Auburn Hills, Mich., Chauncey Billups scored 20 points and Antonio McDyess added 19 points and nine rebounds, leading Detroit to a 104-85 win over Charlotte.

* At New Orleans, Chris Paul had 29 points and 10 assists to lead the Hornets over Seattle, 91-88.

* At Washington, Caron Butler scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half, leading the Wizards to a 104-89 victory over New Jersey.

* At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant's 28 points helped lead the Lakers to a 123-113 win over Golden State. *