Anthony shines as Knicks down depleted Heat

MIAMI (AFP) –

Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks during the game against the Miami Heat on April 2, 2013. Anthony matched his career high with 50 points to lead the Knicks to a 102-90 NBA victory over the injury depleted Heat.

Carmelo Anthony matched his career high with 50 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 102-90 NBA victory over the injury depleted Miami Heat.

Anthony made 18-of-26 from the floor, including 7-of-10 from three-point range as the Knicks pulled away in the closing stages against a Heat team that was missing LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers for the second straight game.

J.R. Smith scored 14 points for New York, who won their ninth straight, while Raymond Felton contributed 10 points and nine assists.

The victory was a welcome-back present for All-Star center Tyson Chandler who missed 10 games with a bulging disc in his neck.

With the win, New York pulled level with Indiana for the second seed in the Eastern Conference behind the Heat with nine games remaining in the regular season.

Chris Bosh, who sank a game-winning three-pointer in San Antonio on Sunday to lift the Heat to an 88-86 victory over the Spurs, once again led Miami with 23 points.