Anthony put together 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Knicks secured the win despite a season-high 43 points from Paul Pierce.

The Knicks are now on the cusp of the play-off places but, with five games left, the win gave them sole possession of seventh place in the Eastern Conference after the Philadelphia 76ers lost 102-97 against the Indiana Pacers.

Danny Granger scored 24 points for the Pacers as they secured a sixth consecutive win that has them on course to tie down the number three seeding in the Eastern Conference.

The San Antonio Spurs easily protected their Western Conference-best record as they routed a Los Angeles Lakers team again without Kobe Bryant 112-91.

Bryant, who could return from a shin injury against the Spurs on Friday, watched on as opposite number Tony Parker shot a game-high 29 points and added 13 assists.

The Minnesota Timberwolves' remarkable April hoodoo continued on as they slumped 91-84 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Timberwolves' 11th consecutive loss was also their 27th on the spin during the month of April, with three more games left to try and end the sequence.

Defeat was also their eighth in a row against the Grizzlies who inched closer to a play-off place.

The Detroit Pistons produced one of the biggest wins of the season as they thumped the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-77 on the back of Brandon Knight's 28 points.