Knicks 121, Magic 83
Carmelo Anthony collected 20 points and 11 rebounds as New York snapped a seven-game home losing streak by cruising past visiting Orlando.
J.R. Smith hit five 3-pointers en route to 17 points off the bench as the Knicks clinched back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Andrea Bargnani scored 17 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored all 15 of his points from beyond the arc.
Arron Afflalo scored 20 points to lead the Magic, who have dropped four straight and fell to 0-3 on their six-game road trip. Victor Oladipo added 17 points and nine rebounds for Orlando.
New York trailed 34-28 early in the second quarter when it started to heat up from beyond the arc, knocking down five 3-pointers in a 15-1 burst to grab the lead. The Knicks ended up hitting seven 3-pointers in the period and took a 59-54 lead into the break.
The Magic were still within nine points with four minutes left in the third quarter before Smith hit a pair of 3-pointers in a 17-6 New York run closing the frame. Smith’s basket with 8:06 left in the game pushed the lead to 103-73 as the Knicks coasted to the finish.
GAME NOTEBOOK: New York outscored Orlando 62-29 in the second half. … Magic G Jameer Nelson (foot) returned from a three-game absence and recorded 13 points and nine assists. … New York F Amar’e Stoudemire (knees) sat out on the second night of a back-to-back set as a precaution.