Knicks 100, Nets 86: Carmelo Anthony continued to torch Brooklyn by scoring a game-high 31 points in his return from a sprained left ankle as host New York defeated its city rival for the second time in three meetings.

After missing his last two games, Anthony got out of the blocks in a hurry by amassing 17 first-half points. The Brooklyn-born star didn't slow down in the second half, finishing 12-for-22 from the field for the contest and has registered 111 points versus the Nets this season.

J.R. Smith scored 19 points and Tyson Chandler added 16 points and 12 rebounds as the Knicks bounced back after suffering their first home loss against Houston on Monday.

Joe Johnson had 17 points and Deron Williams and Brook Lopez contributed 16 points apiece for the Nets, who have dropped three straight and eight of their last 10 games.

After a nip-and-tuck affair, Anthony scored seven points and Chandler provided a pair of emphatic dunks during New York's 18-6 run to close the third quarter. The Knicks didn't take their foot off the gas in the fourth as Smith scored nine quick points to extend the lead to 94-80.

GAME NOTEBOOK: New York committed eight turnovers - including four in the first three quarters. ... After making just 28.3 percent of its 3-point attempts in the previous two meetings, Brooklyn shot 7-for-12 from beyond the arc in the first half. The Nets were 3-for-13 in the second half ... New York Giants WR Victor Cruz and former Yankees 2B/Mets manager Willie Randolph were in attendance.