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Stoudemire returns as Knicks roll past Hawks

Feb 17, 2011 - 5:02 AM New York, NY (Sports Network) - Amare Stoudemire returned from a one-game absence and scored 23 points, and the New York Knicks had a surprisingly easy time dispatching the Atlanta Hawks, 102-90.

Stoudemire missed Saturday's win at New Jersey because of an ailing right big toe, but looked in fine form Wednesday, adding seven rebounds and three blocks in the resounding victory.

"We came out with a consistent effort tonight, came out with a cetrain toughness we needed to have against a team like Atlanta," Knicks guard Landry Fields said.

Wilson Chandler totaled 20 points off the bench and Raymond Felton tallied 13 points and 11 assists for the Knicks, who head into the All-Star break on a two-game winning streak.

All five Atlanta starters finished in double figures, led by Marvin Williams' 17 points, but the Hawks nonetheless lost for the third time in four games.

The Knicks embarked on a 15-3 run late in the first quarter, which ended with them holding a 26-19 lead. The spurt was highlighted by Ronny Turiaf's alley- oop slam, and the hosts never let Atlanta back in the game.

"The warning signs were there early in the first quarter, especially on the defensive end," Hawks head coach Larry Drew said. "It'll be good to get a little break."

A Chandler three-pointer three minutes into the second pushed the advantage to 37-23.

The Hawks whittled the deficit to 52-45 at the break, but hardly threatened in the second half. They trailed by as many as 16, 74-58, in the third quarter and never cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth.

Game Notes

The Knicks outscored the Hawks at the free throw line, 17-5, and in fastbreak points, 18-7...Danilo Gallinari had 17 points and nine rebounds for New York, which got 11 points, nine rebounds and five assists from Fields...Al Horford recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds for Atlanta...Joe Johnson ended with 11 points, seven boards and six assists in the loss.