NBA: On fire in 1st half, Knicks halt skid in win vs. Grizzlies

The New York Knicks shot an electrifying 70.7% from the floor in the first half — including an astonishing 81% in the opening quarter — to secure a 130-119 wire-to-wire victory over the host Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, snapping a three-game losing streak.

OG Anunoby led the way with a game-high 25 points, scoring 17 of them in the fourth quarter. Mikal Bridges added 24 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Jalen Brunson missed the game due to a right ankle injury.

Memphis received 20 points from GG Jackson, 17 from Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and 15 from Cedric Coward. The Grizzlies (25-51) lost for the seventh time in their last eight games, fielding an injury-depleted roster that included four players on 10-day contracts. Memphis was outrebounded 49-20.

With the win, the Knicks (49-28) remain 2½ games behind second-place Boston in the Eastern Conference standings with five games left in the regular season. Boston (51-25) defeated Miami on Wednesday night.

New York tied a franchise record by scoring 48 points in the first quarter, the most ever allowed by the Grizzlies in team history. The Knicks made 17 of 21 field goals in the opening period, including all five of their 3-point attempts.

The Knicks led by 18 at the end of the first quarter and extended the advantage to 22 (60-38) early in the second quarter. New York was ahead 79-62 at halftime, marking the second-most first-half points allowed in Grizzlies history.

Memphis made a push in the third quarter, trimming New York's lead to 90-87 following a 3-pointer from Adama Bal. But the Knicks responded, entering the fourth quarter with a 99-90 lead. The Grizzlies never got closer than nine points the rest of the game.

Grizzlies center Brandon Clarke, who has missed all but two games this season due to injuries, was not with the team. Clarke was arrested and booked into an Arkansas jail on four charges, including possession of and trafficking a controlled substance, on Wednesday afternoon.

—Field Level Media/Reuters