Hardaway, Knicks deal Sixers 17th straight loss
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 28 points off the bench to lead the New York Knicks to a 123-110 win over the slumping Philadelphia 76ers.
Amar'e Stoudemire deposited 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting, while J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony each scored 22 points in the win, with Anthony adding nine boards in New York's fourth straight victory.
"I love nights like this," said Anthony. "Four guys in 20-plus points, sharing the ball, making plays, taking the load off of me. I love nights like that."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}There was a bright spot for the Sixers in the loss, though, as Michael Carter- Williams became the first rookie in franchise history to record two triple- doubles in a season after amassing 23 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in the loss, Philadelphia's 17th consecutive defeat.
Tony Wroten also scored 23 points in the setback, while Thaddeus Young and James Anderson netted 18 and 17 points, respectively.
The Sixers are in the midst of their longest losing streak since losing 20 straight in 1972-73.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In a matchup between two of the worst defensive teams in the league, the game was tied 61-61 at the half.
Philadelphia led 79-78 following a hook shot from Young with just under four minutes left in the third quarter, but that would be the last time the Sixers owned an advantage. New York proceeded to bridge the third and fourth quarters with a 26-8 run that Smith capped with a 3-pointer to give the Knicks a 104-87 lead.
New York led by as many as 21 in the final frame before the Sixers whittled it to as little as 12 in the closing minutes.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"What you saw tonight reflects our group," said Philadelphia coach Brett Brown. "For a majority of the game, they played well."
Each team came out firing on the offensive end in the first half, with New York shooting 22-for-39 (56.4 percent) through two quarters and Philadelphia making 23-of-43 (53.5 percent) of its shots.
The Sixers led the Knicks, 31-26, after the first quarter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game Notes
New York center Tyson Chandler missed the game due to personal reasons ... Henry Sims scored all of his 10 points in the first half for the Sixers ... Philadelphia had a 42-35 edge on the boards along with a 52-42 advantage in the paint ... The Knicks scored 28 points off of 18 Philadelphia turnovers.