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Knicks rout Hornets

Mar 3, 2011 - 4:35 AM New York, NY (Sports Network) - Amare Stoudemire and Toney Douglas scored 24 points apiece, leading the New York Knicks to a 107-88 victory over the New Orleans Hornets.

Carmelo Anthony added 22 points and the Knicks improved to 3-2 since acquiring him in a blockbuster trade last week.

Douglas started at point guard in place of Chauncey Billups, who missed the game with a bruised left thigh. Billups, a trade piece in the Anthony deal, suffered the injury in Tuesday's loss to Orlando and is day-to-day.

Anthony Carter, another former Nugget who came over in the deal, also filled in for Billups at guard and scored four points with seven rebounds.

"Both of them did really well. Toney has been struggling the last three games, but he must be a [Madison Square Garden] type of guy because every time he plays here he plays well," said Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni.

"He kind of sets the tone for us. His first points got us off and obviously we got shots tonight. That's the thing that's been missing over the weekend. Good for him and Anthony (Carter) came in with good defense."

Jarrett Jack scored 21 points off the bench to lead the Hornets, who have lost three in a row and fell to 0-2 on a five-game road trip that wraps up with games in Memphis, Cleveland and Chicago.

New Orleans is just 4-12 since going on a 10-game winning streak in January.

Hornets head coach Monty Williams said he "had to address some things after the game and personally go after some guys."

"I just can not stomach guys who go out there like that, play without passion and play afraid," said Williams. "I can't stand for that. It's hard to bring it when you're playing afraid and I saw fear in some of the guys tonight."

The Knicks, after carrying a 27-25 lead into the second quarter, took control of the game with a 13-3 run near the end of the half.

Anthony scored seven of his 22 points during the spurt, including a pair of free throws to end it and give New York a 52-40 lead. Chris Paul, who scored just four points for the Hornets, hit a jumper to get them within 10 points at halftime.

David West opened the third quarter with a layup, cutting the deficit to eight. But Douglas scored on a layup at the other end and the Hornets were never within single digits again.

The Knicks pushed their lead to 20 points, 82-62, entering the fourth and went ahead by as many as 23 several times while coasting to the win. They shot 55 percent for the game.

"We knew that this game was important for us. Losing last night (to Orlando) ... I wasn't too happy about that," said Stoudemire. "We came out tonight with great effort and wanted to get this win."

Game Notes

West scored 16 points and Quincy Pondexter had 14 off the bench for New Orleans. Paul dished out 10 assists...Anthony's 22 points were his fewest since joining the Knicks in a 13-player, three-team deal...The Hornets shot 47 percent.