Knicks 95, Hawks 91
ATLANTA -- Forward Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points, and the Knicks' defense forced five turnovers in the fourth quarter of New York's 95-91 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at Philips Arena.
Anthony scored five consecutive points in the fourth quarter, including a 3-pointer from the wing that tied the game, 78-78, with seven minutes to play.
The Knicks led by five with 5:49 to play after a 3-pointer from Andrea Bargnani. The 7-foot center banked in a straight-on 3-pointer later in the quarter to help the Knicks pull away.
New York (3-4) hounded the Hawks into 15 turnovers.
Center Al Horford had 23 points for the Hawks (4-4) and jumpstarted a second-half comeback, but he disappeared in the fourth quarter. Horford leads the Hawks in points, rebounds, steals and blocks, and he had his way early on with a New York front line that was missing center Tyson Chandler (broken leg). However, Horford scored only two points in the fourth quarter.
Bargnani played big in Chandler's absence, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
For the second consecutive game, Hawks first-year coach Mike Budenholzer had his team primed coming out halftime. Horford ignited a third-quarter rally with six quick points, and point guard Jeff Teague scored eight straight points to give the Hawks their first lead since 2-0. The Hawks outscored the Knicks 23-10 in the third quarter to take a 68-65 lead into the final period.
Atlanta guard Kyle Korver hit two 3-points in the fourth quarter, extending his streak of games with at least one 3-pointer to 81. It's the second longest such streak in NBA history, behind only Dana Barros' 89-game run. However, Korver also had a crucial turnover on an inbounds pass late in the fourth quarter that turned into layup by New York point guard Raymond Felton.
Felton finished with 10 points and five assists. Guard J.R. Smith, making his first start of the season, added 12 points for the Knicks.
The Hawks failed to score 100 points for the first time this season and suffered their first loss at home.
Anthony attempted only 10 field goals in Sunday's home loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He took 11 shots in the first half against the Hawks and hit two of the Knicks' eight 3-pointers in the first half. New York led 55-45 at intermission.
Anthony finished 9-for-25 from the floor.
NOTES: Knicks coach Mike Woodson used his third starting lineup of the season on Wednesday, with G J.R. Smith inserted as a starter in place of G Pablo Prigioni. Smith missed the first five games of the season while serving a suspension for violating the league's drug policy. ... Injured Hawks G Lou Williams was medically cleared and could return soon. Williams tore his right ACL in January. ... With their early struggles, the Knicks are at the forefront of trade rumors, most centered on G Iman Shumpert. They reportedly are in talks with the Denver Nuggets about F Kenneth Faried. ... The Hawks assigned G Jared Cunningham to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League on Monday. ... Woodson coached the Hawks from 2004 to 2010, posting a 206-286 record with three playoff appearances.
