Crawford, Curry propel Knicks over Magic

Quentin Richardson added 15 points and David Lee had 14 points and 16 boards for the Knicks, who returned from a 1-2 three-game road trip to win for the fourth straight time at MSG. Stephon Marbury also had 14 points for New York, which used a 12-2 run to start the fourth quarter to distance itself from the Magic.

Dwight Howard was a force, recording 27 points and 14 boards, for the Magic, who made it interesting in the final minutes only to lose for the 13th time in 18 outings. Jameer Nelson added 16 points for Orlando, which has lost five straight on the road.

Ahead 79-78 to start the fourth quarter, the Knicks began the stanza with a 12-3 run to open up a 10-point advantage. Channing Frye scored six of his eight points during the surge, which was capped by a Marbury three-pointer for a 91-81 advantage with 5 1/2 minutes left.

Orlando responded by drawing within 94-91 after Nelson hit a three-pointer with under 1 1/2 minutes to play, but New York held off the Magic by scoring six of the final nine points of the contest.

Hedo Turkoglu had 14 points for the Magic, who trailed for much of the contest. Orlando went into the second down 23-22 and trailed 49-45 going into halftime.

Game Notes

Howard has 37 double-doubles this season...Orlando’s Bo Outlaw played in his 900th career game...Lee has 29 double-doubles this season...New York has won the two meetings against Orlando so far this season...NY hit 30-of-37 free throws compared to 17-of-25 for the Magic.