NBA roundup: Anthony's debut on New York's big stage a huge hit

NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony's debut on the big stage was a huge hit.

Anthony had 27 points and 10 rebounds, hitting a pair of clutch buckets down the stretch in front of a crowd that cheered his every move as New York beat the Milwaukee Bucks 114-108 on Wednesday night in his Knicks debut.

Anthony made only 10-of-25 shots but was at his best in the closing minutes, helping New York hold on after fellow superstar Amare Stoudemire fouled out. He matched the third-highest scoring game in a Knicks debut since 1964, just two points shy of Keith Van Horn's 29 on Oct. 29, 2003.

Chauncey Billups, who came with Anthony from Denver in Tuesday's blockbuster trade, finished with 21 points and eight assists as the Knicks won their third straight. Toney Douglas scored 23 points and Stoudemire had 19.

SPURS 109, THUNDER 105: At San Antonio, Tony Parker scored the last of his 20 points on a 16-footer with 26.1 seconds left, and Gary Neal added 19 points as the Spurs improved to 47-10, moving within three wins of their total from last season.

KINGS 111, MAGIC 105: At Orlando, Fla., Jermaine Taylor had 21 points, Beno Udrih added 18 and the Kings snapped a five-game losing streak against the Magic. Samuel Dalembert and Jason Thompson had 17 points apiece for Sacramento, which won for just the third time in its last 11 games.

76ERS 117, WIZARDS 94: At Philadelphia, Jrue Holiday scored 20 points, Thaddeus Young had 18 points and 10 rebounds and the 76ers improved to 18-9 at home. Elton Brand and Evan Turner added 15 points apiece for the Sixers (28-29), who eclipsed last season's win total of 27.

RAPTORS 118, BULLS 113: At Toronto, Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan each scored 24 points, Jose Calderon had 17 assists and the Raptors snapped Chicago's four-game winning streak, spoiling Joakim Noah's return from thumb surgery. Derrick Rose scored 19 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter and had 10 assists, and Carlos Boozer had 24 for the Bulls.

PACERS 102, PISTONS 101: At Indianapolis, Brandon Rush's dunk with 5.4 seconds remaining gave the surging Pacers the victory. Tyler Hansbrough scored 21 points for Indiana, which squandered a 16-point, second-half lead to set up a frantic finish. Greg Monroe scored 27 points for the Pistons.

ROCKETS 124, CAVALIERS 119: At Cleveland, reserve Chase Budinger scored a career-high 30 points, including 11 straight in the fourth quarter, and Kevin Martin added 30 more to lead the Rockets to the win. Budinger and Martin combined to score Houston's final 24 points. The Cavaliers, coming off a shocking upset of the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in their final game before the All-Star break, were led by Antawn Jamison's 26 points.

GRIZZLIES 104, TIMBERWOLVES 95: At Minneapolis, Zach Randolph had 24 points and 10 rebounds while Mike Conley added 22 points to help the Grizzlies cruise to the win.

Minnesota's Kevin Love recorded his 44th double-double in a row with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Love, an All-Star selection, now has equaled Moses Malone's streak of consecutive double-doubles for Philadelphia in 1982-83.

SUNS 105, HAWKS 97: At Phoenix, Channing Frye scored six of his 20 points in the final four minutes and the Suns pulled away from the short-handed Hawks. Jared Dudley went 4 for 5 from 3-point range and finished with 17 points for Phoenix.

HORNETS 98, CLIPPERS 87: At New Orleans, Chris Paul had 19 points and 10 assists, leading New Orleans to the victory. David West scored 22 for the Hornets, who were able to overcome Blake Griffin and control the inside, even with center Emeka Okafor missing his 10th straight game with a strained left hip.

LAKERS 106, BLAZERS 101 (OT): At Porland, Ore., Kobe Bryant scored 37 points to lead the Lakers. LaMarcus Aldridge had 29 while Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews each had 22 for Portland.