What to Know
- The New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 104-94 at Madison Square Garden Sunday afternoon
- Carmelo Anthony matched his season high 31 points, while Kristaps Porzingis scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds
- The Hawks lost a second straight game, following a six-game win streak.
Carmelo Anthony matched his season high with 31 points and the New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 104-94 on Sunday for their fourth straight home victory.
Kristaps Porzingis added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks, who led most of the way against one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Dwight Howard had 18 points and 18 rebounds, but point guard Dennis Schroder missed all eight shots as the Hawks dropped their second straight following a six-game winning streak.
Howard bounced back nicely after he was ejected for a flagrant foul Friday in the Hawks' 100-96 loss in Charlotte, while Paul Millsap led Atlanta with 19 points and Kyle Korver scored 17.
The Knicks played without starting center Joakim Noah because of illness. Guards Derrick Rose and Courtney Lee both scored 14 points and Kyle O'Quinn, who replaced Noah, had eight points and eight rebounds.
The Knicks led by two with 7½ minutes left in the third quarter before Anthony's jumper started them on a 12-0 burst. Willy Hernangomez's three-point play extended New York's lead to 65-51.
Local
Atlanta never made a serious dent in the lead, as the Knicks repeatedly hit 3-pointers every time it seemed the Hawks were building momentum.
Anthony banked in a long jumper from the right side to end the first quarter, giving the Knicks a 24-20 lead that they expanded to 46-41 at halftime.
TIP-INS
Hawks: Schroder finished with one point and three assists, sitting out the entire fourth quarter. ... Howard had his 10th double-double of the season by halftime. Thabo Sefolosha was active after missing the last two games with a sprained left knee but didn't play.
Knicks: With Noah out, rookie Marshall Plumlee was recalled from Westchester of the NBA Development League to make his NBA debut. He was scoreless in five minutes. ... The Knicks beat the Hawks for the third straight time.
HOWARD'S HACK
Howard was tossed Friday when he elbowed Cody Zeller midway through the fourth quarter. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said he talked to Howard about the play but wants him to keep providing toughness. "Hopefully he can find ways to be physical, let the other team feel him but still do it within kind of the confines of what's appropriate," Budenholzer said. "I think to be ejected was probably the right thing and he knows it, but he also knows he wants to continue to play physical and be a presence on the boards."
UP NEXT
Hawks: Host New Orleans on Tuesday. Atlanta is 6-1 at home.
Knicks: Host Portland on Tuesday, trying to snap a four-game home losing streak to the Trail Blazers.
