Knicks buck coach departure, end skid
New York — Amare Stoudemire made all seven shots in the first half and Carmelo Anthony passed and shot well as the New York Knicks shook off the surprising departure of their coach to rout the Portland Trail Blazers 121-79 on Wednesday, snapping a six-game losing streak.
Anthony, who denied wanting a trade or having friction with former coach Mike D’Antoni earlier Wednesday, had 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting and tied a season high with seven assists. Stoudemire finished with 17 points and shot 8 of 10, before both stars sat out the fourth quarter while the Knicks rang up their highest point total of the season.
Lakers 107,
Hornets 101, OT
At New Orleans, Kobe Bryant scored 33 points as the Los Angeles Lakers won their fourth straight game and second straight in overtime.
For the second night in a row, the Lakers climbed out of a double-digit hole in the second half to force an extra period. On Tuesday night, they came back from 17 down to win at Memphis in double-overtime. The Hornets also led by as many as 17 late in the second quarter and 15 in the second half.
Andrew Bynum added 25 points and Pau Gasol 18 for Los Angeles.
Jarrett Jack scored 30 for New Orleans.
Bulls 106, Heat 102
At Chicago, John Lucas III scored 24 points, as Chicago beat Miami without Derrick Rose in a charged showdown between the Eastern Conference’s top two teams.
The Bulls built a 16-point lead in the second quarter, were up 11 at halftime and boosted it back to 17 in the third after a push by Miami. They then hung on after Miami pulled within two in the closing minute for their 11th win in 12 games.
Even better, they won without their superstar, and they did it on a night when Dwyane Wade scored 36 and LeBron James finished with 35 points for the Heat.OTHER RESULTS: Spurs 122, Magic 111; Pacers 111, 76ers 94; Nets 98, Raptors 84; Rockets 107, Bobcats 87;Bucks 115, Cavs 105;Pistons 124, Kings S 112; Suns 120, Jazz 111. /ap
