Knicks Beat Timberwolves in NBA as Anthony Scores 33 Points

The New York Knicks pulled out a 94-91 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves as Carmelo Anthony scored 19 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter.

Anthony scored the Knicks’ final 12 points, including seven on free throws, to rally the Knicks from a 86-82 deficit with three minutes left at Madison Square Garden in New York.

“That was kind of an MVP performance at the end,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said at a news conference. “He stepped up.”

J.R. Smith added 19 points and seven assists for the Knicks (20-7), who have won two of their past three National Basketball Association games heading into tomorrow’s Christmas Day matchup in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

Tyson Chandler had 16 points and nine rebounds for New York and Raymond Felton chipped in with 15 points. Nikola Pekovic had 21 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves (13-12), who were without Kevin Love because of an eye injury.

The Brooklyn Nets halted a three-game losing streak with a 95-92 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The San Antonio Spurs routed the Dallas Mavericks 129-91 yesterday to spoil the return of Dirk Nowitzki, who missed the first 27 games of the season because of a knee injury.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Erik Matuszewski at matuszewski@bloomberg.net