• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Smith, Knicks torch the Nets

Apr 3, 2014 - 7:08 AM New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Another blowout in a game between the Knicks and Nets. This time, New York had its way with its inter-borough rival.

J.R. Smith made half of his 12 shots from beyond the arc and scored 24 points, as the Knicks earned a 110-81 win to continue their push for a playoff spot.

Smith also had eight rebounds and six assists. Carmelo Anthony totaled 23 points and 10 boards for the Knicks, who moved into a virtual tie with Atlanta for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks tied the Hawks for the final playoff spot after Atlanta lost at home Wednesday to Chicago.

"Our guys are hungry," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "Normally anybody that comes off the West Coast, when you've been out there for a while, that game coming back is normally a tough game, but our guys came out with energy and came out ready to play."

The Knicks, who shot 60 percent from the field and have won 12 of their last 15 games, also received 17 points from Tim Hardaway Jr., 13 from Amare Stoudemire and 10 from Iman Shumpert.

Joe Johnson had 16 points for the Nets, who clinched a playoff spot with Tuesday's 105-96 victory over the Houston Rockets at Barclays Center. Deron Williams added 12 points and Alan Anderson scored 11 for Brooklyn, which is currently in the fifth position in the East.

The Nets had their three-game winning streak broken and lost for just the third time in 10 their last games.

"It's definitely a missed opportunity for us," Johnson said. "We've just got to move on from here."

All of the games in this season's series have been routs. New York pounded Brooklyn, 113-83, on Dec. 5 at Barclays Center, but the Nets returned the favor with a 103-80 pasting on Martin Luther King Day at Madison Square Garden.

Wednesday's contest turned into a blowout in the second quarter. The hosts made 12 of their 18 field goal attempts in the period, led by nine points from Anthony.

The Knicks scored the final 10 points of the opening quarter, helped by 3- pointers from Smith and Hardaway for a 29-20 cushion. Then, they opened a 39-22 lead early in the second as Hardaway ended that spurt with a jumper. Smith's jumper in the final minute boosted the Knicks to a 63-38 halftime bulge.

New York made 66.7 percent (24-of-36) from the floor in the first 24 minutes. The Knicks scored 16 points off nine Brooklyn turnovers.

Brooklyn climbed within 74-60 with two minutes left in the third, but the Knicks scored the ensuing eight points, helped by 3-pointers from Pablo Prigioni and Smith. The hosts led, 82-61, moving to the fourth, and were up as many as 33 in the final quarter.

Game Notes

Johnson has made at least one 3-pointer in a career-best 23 straight games. The Nets' record for most games with at least one 3-pointer made is held by Jason Kidd, 28 straight contests during the 2005-06 season ... The clubs will meet again on Apr. 15 at Barclays Center. New York hasn't lost a season series versus the Nets since the 2006-07 season ... Williams has registered at least one steal in 24 straight games, which is the longest streak in the NBA this season ... Brooklyn, which has won 14 in a row at home, will host Detroit Friday. The Knicks host Washington, currently in the sixth playoff position, Friday.