By the Associated Press
NEW YORK — Mitchell Robinson made all 11 shots and had 22 points, Julius Randle added 22 points and 13 rebounds, and the New York Knicks spoiled Carmelo Anthony's return to Madison Square Garden by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 117-93 on Wednesday night for their season-high third straight victory.
New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) defends as Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony (00) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Anthony scored 26 points, his most since returning to the NBA, and was cheered before and during the game at the arena where he played 6 ½ seasons. But he was on the bench at the start of the Knicks' 14-0 run early in the fourth quarter that broke open the game.
Reggie Bullock made two 3-pointers during the spurt and scored 11 points in his Knicks debut. He signed with the team during the summer but hadn't played because of a herniated disk.
Portland's Damian Lillard was held to 11 points on 5-for-20 shooting after scoring 30 or more in the previous three games. The All-Star guard did have 10 rebounds and eight assists, but he missed his first six 3-pointers before making his only one of the game as the final shot of the third quarter.
LAKERS 117, SUNS 107
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James had 31 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists for his eighth triple-double of the season, Anthony Davis had 26 points and 11 rebounds, and the West-leading Los Angeles Lakers beat Phoenix.
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) is defended by Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
James had double-figure points and assists by halftime as the Lakers won their third straight.
The Suns rallied in the fourth, getting within seven points after trailing by 36 earlier in the game. That forced the Lakers' starters back in, and James steadied them with eight points to close out the win.
Devin Booker scored 32 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 26 for the Suns. Phoenix had won two in a row after losing eight straight.
MAGIC 122, WIZARDS 101
WASHINGTON — D.J. Augustin scored a season-high 25 points, Nicola Vucevic added 20 points and 12 rebounds and Orlando snapped a four-game road losing streak.
Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) goes to the basket between Washington Wizards center Anzejs Pasecniks (18) and guard Ish Smith (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Nick Wass)
Bradley Beal, who missed the previous two games with soreness in his right leg, led Washington with 27 points.
The Magic, who entered the game with the NBA's poorest offense, took the lead midway through the second quarter and led 62-58 at halftime. Orlando steadily increased its lead in the second half.
Evan Fournier had 18 points for Orlando. Markelle Fultz scored 16 and Terrence Ross 15.
BUCKS 106, TIMBERWOLVES 104
MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds, and Milwaukee held off a strong challenge from short-handed Minnesota.
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) fights for a rebound against Minnesota Timberwolves' Gorgui Dieng during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Antetokounmpo got his 30th double-double in 33 games this season and Khris Middleton added 13 points despite shooting 5 for 18 as Milwaukee hit just 42.6% of its shots overall and only 9 of 36 from 3-point range.
Shabazz Napier had 22 points to lead Minnesota, and Gorgui Deng scored 15, Josh Okogie added 12 and Jarret Culver 10.