NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points in his return to the lineup and the New York Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets 100-86 Wednesday in the third meeting this season between the city rivals. After two tight games in Brooklyn, the Knicks turned the first one at Madison Square Garden into a rout by dominating the second half. Anthony, who missed two games with a sprained left ankle, moved fine and shot well, though his scoring average against the Nets this season actually dropped to 37 points per game. J.R. Smith added 19 points and Tyson Chandler had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who bounced back from their first home loss Monday against Houston, improving to 11-1 at MSG. Joe Johnson scored 17 points for the Nets, who have lost three straight and eight of 10. Deron Williams and Brook Lopez each had 16 points for Brooklyn. Thunder 100, Hawks 92: Kevin Durant set a season high with 41 points and had 13 rebounds as Oklahoma City held off Atlanta for its 12th straight win. Russell Westbrook added 27 points and 11 assists for the Thunder. The Thunder (21-4) improved the NBA's best record and atoned for a 104-95 home loss to the Hawks on Nov. 4. Oklahoma City is 20-2 since that loss. Jeff Teague scored 19 points to lead the Hawks. Clippers 93, Hornets 77: Blake Griffin scored 18 points and Los Angeles beat New Orleans for its franchise record-tying 11th consecutive victory. Jamal Crawford added 17 points, DeAndre Jordan scored 12, and Chris Paul had 10 points and 12 assists, surpassing 5,000 in his career for the Clippers. They tied the franchise record set by the 1974-75 Buffalo Braves. Robin Lopez scored 14 of his 22 points in the first quarter and rookie Anthony Davis added 16 for the Hornets. Kings 131, Warriors 127: DeMarcus Cousins scored 24 points, Aaron Brooks added 23 and Sacramento snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over Golden State. Stephen Curry scored 23 of his 32 points in the second half before fouling out, and David Lee had 29 points and eight rebounds in Golden State's worst defensive outing of the season. Only Oklahoma City had shot at least 50 percent against the Warriors. Grizzlies 90, Bucks 80: Zach Randolph had 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Marc Gasol had 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead Memphis over Milwaukee. Rudy Gay added 13 points for Memphis, which won its third straight. Mike Conley had 11 points and six assists, while Marreese Speights scored 10 points. Brandon Jennings led Milwaukee with 26 points despite missing his first eight shots. Pacers 104, Jazz 84: Reserve guard Gerald Green scored a season-high 21 points, and Paul George had 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks to help Indiana beat Utah. George Hill also scored 20 and had five assists for the Pacers. Derrick Favors scored 16 points, Alec Burks had 12 and Mo Williams 11 for the Jazz, who lost their third in the last four games. Other results: Rockets 125, 76ers 103; Suns 121, Bobcats 104; Raptors 97, Pistons 91; Magic 90, Wizards 83. — AP
