• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Knicks edge Magic; Anthony sprains ankle

Dec 24, 2013 - 5:00 AM Orlando, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Iman Shumpert relentlessly hustled back on defense as Glen Davis rumbled down the floor in transition with a clear path to the basket.

As Davis was about to go up for the layup, Shumpert knocked the ball away.

With Carmelo Anthony exiting earlier in the third and the New York Knicks clinging on to a seemingly insurmountable lead at one point, it was just the play they needed.

Anthony netted 19 points before leaving with a left ankle sprain and the Knicks edged the Orlando Magic, 103-98, on Monday night.

New York led by 24 at the half and by as many as 25, but a Jameer Nelson layup pulled the Magic within 97-93 with 1:24 left. Davis then stole a pass from Beno Udrih, but Shumpert chased him down from behind. Davis then missed a jumper and Udrih hit six foul shots down the stretch to seal the outcome for the Knicks.

"All teams make runs and they made a hell of a run," Knicks head coach Mike Woodson said of Orlando's comeback.

Anthony left midway through the third quarter after he twisted his ankle on Nik Vucevic's foot following an offensive rebound attempt.

"We'll evaluate him tomorrow," Woodson said.

J.R. Smith had 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyson Chandler scored 10 points to go with 13 boards for New York, which has alternated wins and losses over its last eight tilts. They've beaten the Magic eight straight times.

Raymond Felton returned following a six-game absence due to a left hamstring injury, but he exited Monday's contest with a right groin strain.

Arron Afflalo led Orlando with 26 points and Davis chipped in 20. The Magic have dropped 11 of their last 13 games.

After Victor Oladipo's three-point play pulled the Magic within 33-32 with 9:38 left in the second, the Knicks used an elongated 26-5 run to break the game open.

Smith and Anthony each netted seven points during the surge, which Felton capped with a pair of free throws for a 59-37 spread with 2:56 remaining. Anthony knocked down a jumper at the buzzer to give New York a 65-41 margin at the break. The Knicks outscored Orlando 36-14 in the second.

Orlando went on an 18-4 swing after Anthony left to get within 76-70 and trailed 84-76 heading into the fourth.

"We responded to their hit in our face," Orlando head coach Jacque Vaughn said. "I think we were the aggressors in the second half."

New York led 29-27 after a quarter of play.

Game Notes

Felton had 13 points and four assists ... Nelson finished with 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds ... The Magic held a 42-26 points in the paint edge.