NBA: Knicks bash Wizards behind balanced effort from starters

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns each posted a double-double before sitting out the fourth quarter on Monday night for the host New York Knicks, who cruised to a 134-106 win over the Washington Wizards.

Brunson finished with 26 points and 11 assists while Towns had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who won the final three games of a four-game homestand to move a season-high two games over .500.

Fellow starters OG Anunoby (16 points), Josh Hart (14) and Mikal Bridges (14) also scored in double figures for the Knicks, who shot 56 percent (51 of 91) from the field and made 50 percent (20 of 40) of their attempts from 3-point land. Cameron Payne added 17 points off the bench.

Carlton Carrington and reserves Jonas Valanciunas and Corey Kispert all scored 18 points for the Wizards, who have lost nine straight games, including eight by double digits. Kyle Kuzma had 11 points and eight rebounds while Valanciunas also had eight rebounds.

The Wizards led 12-7 before the Knicks scored the next 10 points to begin a first-quarter-ending 33-15 run. Brunson's layup put New York ahead for good at 13-12 with 7:45 left in the first. The hosts maintained a double-digit advantage after Anunoby's alley-oop dunk with 3:11 remaining extended the lead to 30-19.

The Knicks took their first lead of at least 20 points on Pacome Dadiet's 3-pointer with 9:20 left in the second quarter. New York held a trio of 25-point leads in the frame before Kuzma and Valanciunas ended the first half with baskets to pull the Wizards within 73-54 at the break.

The Knicks scored the first seven points of the third quarter, and the Wizards got no closer than 24 thereafter. Brunson had 14 points and Anunoby added nine as New York outscored the Wizards 36-21 in the period to take a 109-75 lead.

The Wizards, opposing mostly Knicks second-stringers, opened the fourth with 10 straight points. — Field Level Media/Reuters