EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) _ The New York Knicks are off to their best preseason start in four years.

Larry Johnson scored 18 points, Marcus Camby had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Allan Houston scored 13 points and Chris Childs added 12 as the Knicks won for the fifth time in six games, 90-81 over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night.

``We've been terrible in the preseason during my first two years here,'' said Latrell Sprewell, who contributed nine points, four assists and six steals. ``We're starting to play well together. The record speaks for itself.''

The Knicks haven't had a winning preseason since they went 5-3 prior to the 1996-97 season. Last year, they were 2-6.

Johnson was 3-of-4 from 3-point range as the Knicks shot 54 percent (7-of-13) from behind the arc. His 3-pointer midway through the third quarter gave the Knicks their biggest lead of the game, 58-47. He had seven points during a 14-3 run that snapped a 44-44 tie.

``The guys are really starting to feel comfortable out there. Our confidence is growing,'' Camby said. ``We are now approaching every game like it's the regular season. We want to win every ballgame. We have a good team and have the chance to do something special.''

The Nets, who were only 1-of-8 from 3-point range, lost for the fourth time in five games.

Kendall Gill, who led all scorers with 24 points, brought the Nets within 75-73 with 3:45 remaining. Childs then hit a 3-pointer and Houston added two free throws to secure the win.

Nets rookie Kenyon Martin had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Stephon Marbury, who shot just 3-for-17, had 10 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds.