Carmelo Anthony Scores 31, Knicks Top Hawks 104-94 For Fourth Straight Home Win

Although the New York Knicks’ Sunday began rough due to center Joakim Noah’s illness, Carmelo Anthony ensured the afternoon went better.

Carmelo Anthony Scores 31, Knicks Top Hawks 104-94 For Fourth Straight Home Win

Anthony matched his season high with 31 points, and the Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 104-94 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday for their fourth consecutive home victory.

The forward knew he wanted to play aggressively after New York followed a loss in Washington on Thursday with a long meeting Saturday featuring players, coaches and even team president Phil Jackson.

”Some nights like today calls for me to get it going early,” Anthony said. ”My mindset was just to come out and get it going early.”

Kristaps Porzingis added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks, who were ahead most of the game against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard led Atlanta with 19 and 18 points respectively, but point guard Dennis Schroder missed all eight shots as the Hawks lost their second straight following a six-game winning streak.

”I feel like we didn’t play well enough on the road. You have to bring a better game but give the New York Knicks credit,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. ”Carmelo played a heck of a game, hit a lot of tough shots.”

The Knicks found themselves scrambling after Noah was sent home by doctors due to an illness, and Kyle O’Quinn was told during pre-game that he would start. Furthermore, rookie Marshall Plumlee had to rush into the city by train and then taxi after he received a morning phone call and was told he would be called up from Westchester of the NBA Development League to make his NBA debut.

”Opportunity knocked and we were all ready as a team defensively,” said O’Quinn, who had eight points and eight rebounds.

Howard, who was ejected for a flagrant foul on Friday in Atlanta’s 100-96 loss in Charlotte, added 18 rebounds. Kyle Korver scored 17 points.

Derrick Rose and Courtney Lee both scored 14 points for New York. The Knicks led by two with 7 1/2 minutes remaining in the third quarter before Anthony’s jumper kicked off a 12-0 run. Willy Hernangomez’s three-point play pushed their lead to 65-51.

Anthony also sank a long jumper from the right side to end the first quarter, thus giving New York a 24-20 advantage that they extended to 46-41 at halftime.

The Hawks (9-4) will next host the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. The Knicks (6-7) will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, and attempt to snap a four-game home losing streak to that team.

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 17: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC.