Carmelo Anthony helped lift the Knicks out of their recent slump with 39 points and 10 rebounds in New York’s 113-106 overtime win over the Orlando Magic on Monday.
The Knicks’ recent lack of chemistry had been under the microscope heading into the game, but despite giving up the lead and being forced into overtime they held their nerve to snap a six-game losing streak.
“We had a will to win,” Anthony told reporters after his highest scoring effort since joining the Knicks in last month’s blockbuster trade. “We knew that the day would come when we would get out of this hole and stop the losing streak.”
Photo: EPA
New York led 96-90 with about a minute left in the fourth quarter, before Orlando rallied to send the game into overtime on Jason Richardson’s game-tying three-pointer with five seconds left in regulation.
The Knicks recovered in the extra session where they opened play with two three-pointers and closed with the final five points.
Chauncey Billups made a three-pointer to put the home team in front 106-104 with 3 minutes, 15 seconds to go in overtime and New York (36-38) never trailed after that.
Amar’e Stoudemire added 20 points and nine rebounds in the winning effort and the Knicks stayed two games behind the Philadelphia 76ers for sixth spot in the Eastern Conference.
Dwight Howard led the way for the Magic (47-27) with 29 points and 18 rebounds, but managed just two points in overtime.
He picked up his 17th technical foul of the season late in the game. One more will earn him a second one-game suspension.
The NBA gives a mandatory one-game suspension when a player reaches 16 technicals and dishes out more suspensions for every two technical calls after that.
Orlando, who had beaten the Knicks in their last six meetings, also saw a five-game win streak snapped and remain fourth in the East.
76ERS 97, BULLS 85
In Chicago, Thaddeus Young scored 21 points as Philadelphia built a 23-point lead and held on to beat Chicago, ending the Bulls’ 14-game home winning streak.
Chicago, losing for only the second time in their last 14 games overall, got 31 points from Derrick Rose, who also had 10 turnovers.
The Bulls still own the best record in the East, leading by two games over the Celtics and Heat.
Andre Iguodala added 19 points and seven assists for the 76ers.
Carlos Boozer scored 15 points for the Bulls, while Joakim Noah had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
BOBCATS 87, BUCKS 86
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Gerald Henderson scored the final seven points, including the go-ahead jumper with 22 seconds left, as Charlotte staged an unlikely comeback to beat the mistake-prone Milwaukee.
Starting with no available centers before losing their top two point guards to injuries, the Bobcats remained in playoff contention after Brandon Jennings missed two layups and a thee-pointer in the final 15 seconds that would have put the Bucks ahead.
Stephen Jackson scored 18 points for the Bobcats, who held Milwaukee scoreless during the final 3 minutes, 52 seconds.
Jennings and Andrew Bogut had 26 points apiece for the Bucks.
PACERS 107, CELTICS 100
In Indianapolis, Roy Hibbert scored 26 points as Indiana beat Boston to remain in sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Boston point guard Rajon Rondo started after missing Sunday’s game against Minnesota with a jammed finger on his right hand.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Rondo would not play, but Rondo scored 10 points in the first 5 minutes, 10 seconds and finished with 22 points and eight assists.
Paul Pierce led Boston with 23 points, while Glen Davis added 20 for the Celtics, who are fading in their quest to catch Chicago for the best record in the East.
TRAIL BLAZERS 100, SPURS 92
In San Antonio, Texas, Andre Miller scored 26 points as Portland beat San Antonio while Spurs stars Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan sat out with injuries.
The Blazers beat the NBA’s most successful team for the second time in three days, this time with four San Antonio starters sidelined. Gerald Wallace added 14 points for Portland and hit a crucial three-pointer with 2 minutes, 2 seconds left, finishing a quick 7-0 burst that put the Blazers ahead.
George Hill had 27 points for the Spurs, who have lost four in row, their longest slide this season.
WIZARDS 100, JAZZ 95, OT
In Salt Lake City, Utah, rookie John Wall scored 28 points, while Jordan Crawford hit a key shot at the end of regulation and then made two steals in overtime to lead Washington to only their second road win.
Crawford finished with 25 points, including eight in the fourth quarter and the tying shot with 4.4 seconds left in regulation.
Maurice Evans scored seven of his 12 points in overtime for the Wizards, who were without five players because of injury.
C.J. Miles led the Jazz with 17 points, but he made only three of 12 from three-point range.
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