Knicks End 3-Game Losing Streak with Win over Hornets

The New York Knicks (24-13) ended their three-game skid with a comfortable 100-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets (11-26) in New York on Sunday afternoon.

After the first quarter, it did not appear that anything was going to be comfortable for the Knicks. The Hornets began the second with a 29-22 lead; however, they entered halftime trailing 49-41.

The reason for the Knicks' sudden reversal of fortunes in this one is simple: Carmelo Anthony. Melo ended the first quarter with just two points by going 1-of-8 from the field. Then, about halfway through the second period, Anthony caught fire. 

Melo went 6-of-9 from the field in the second and netted 18 points in just that quarter. The Hornets only scored 12 points in the second.

Anthony finished with a game-high 27 points, although he was just 9-of-25 from the field. He added seven rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal.

Only three players hit double figures in scoring for New York. Chris Copeland poured in 22 while going 9-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-8 from three-point land. However, the Knicks got a nice contribution from their bench in this game, as the backups scored 39 points.

In his seventh game since returning from injury, Amar'e Stoudemire scored 12 by going 3-of-6 from the field and making all six of his free throws in 23 minutes. That was good for his second-highest output of the season. However, he only managed to grab three rebounds.

Eric Gordon's 22 points led the way for the Hornets, who had won four straight heading into this game. 

With the win, the Knicks are just one game back of the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat. 

The Knicks will now cross the Atlantic to take on the Pistons in London on Thursday and then return home to take on the rival Brooklyn Nets on Monday. 

Meanwhile, this was the first of a three-game road trip for the Hornets. They will travel to take on the 76ers on Tuesday and the Celtics on Wednesday.