KNICKS 96, MAGIC 80: Carmelo Anthony led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds as visiting New York bounced back to above .500.

J.R. Smith added 15 points and nine assists and Tyson Chandler collected 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who pushed their lead over the Milwaukee Bucks to 1 1/2 games for the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Magic have dropped five straight to slip into a tie for the No. 5 spot with the Atlanta Hawks.

Earlier in the day, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters that star Dwight Howard wanted him out as coach. Howard, who had missed the two previous games, returned on Thursday and managed only eight points and eight rebounds to go along with five turnovers and five fouls in 40 minutes.

New York took control in the second quarter. Smith and Steve Novak combined for four 3-pointers in the first 3:30 in the period to give the Knicks a 37-26 edge. Smith scored 13 points in the frame and Anthony piled on 10 to make it 56-44 at the half.

New York closed it out on the defensive end, holding Orlando to 36 points in the second half to run away with it.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Jason Richardson scored 16 points and Glen Davis added 15 to lead the Magic. … The Knicks shot 13 for 25 (52 percent) from beyond the arc. … New York plays back-to-back games against the East-leading Chicago Bulls next.