Knicks 89, Bucks 80
KNICKS 89, BUCKS 80: Carmelo Anthony broke out of his scoring funk with 28 points and 12 rebounds as host New York improved to 7-1 under interim coach Mike Woodson.
Tyson Chandler and Baron Davis added 13 points apiece as the Knicks won their fifth straight home game and halted a four-game skid against Milwaukee despite playing without starters Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin.
Rookie Iman Shumpert scored 11 points, including a pair of big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, as the Knicks opened a 2 1/2-game lead over Bucks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Anthony scored more than 17 points for the first time in eight games and had his highest offensive output since netting 35 in a loss to the Bucks on Jan. 20.
Reserve Mike Dunleavy had 26 points to pace Milwaukee, which scored only 28 second-half points and had its five-game road winning streak snapped.
Anthony came alive in the third quarter, repeatedly getting to the free throw line and scoring 14 points as New York turned a five-point halftime deficit into a 68-64 lead entering the fourth.
Dunleavy scored 14 points in the last 3:25 of the first quarter to get the Bucks with 30-26, and went off for 10 points during a 12-0 run in the second quarter as Milwaukee took a 49-40 lead en route to a 52-47 halftime edge.
GAME NOTEBOOK: New York absorbed a huge blow when it learned Stoudemire will be sidelined indefinitely with a bulging disk in his back. The team said surgery is not necessary and Stoudemire will undergo rehabilitation for his treatment. ... Knicks forward Jared Jeffries is expected to be sidelined for two weeks with inflammation in his right knee. ... Davis made his first start of the season with Lin (sore right knee) sitting out. ... Milwaukee's starting unit combined for 18 points on 6-for-37 shooting through the first three quarters. ... The Bucks failed to reach 100 points for only the second time in 11 games.