LEAD: Anthony drops in late three, Knicks keep Wizards winless

By Paul Levine Jan 7, 2012, 7:26 GMT

Los Angeles - Carmelo Anthony kept the Washington Wizards the only NBA team without a win this season.

Anthony poured in 37 points, including the go-ahead three with 15.5 seconds left, and the visiting New York Knicks dropped the Wizards to 0-7 after a 99-96 victory Friday night.

'I was hurt. I was just praying it went in,' said Anthony, who tweaked his lower back in the final minutes. 'I wasn't going to try to drive at all. I knew I didn't have any push off on my right leg.'

After Anthony's triple of the glass put Knicks in front 98-96, the Wizards looked to retake the lead. But John Wall missed a three of his own and Chris Singleton failed on a short jumper after grabbing the offensive rebound.

The Wizards had final shot to force overtime after New York's Iman Shumpert split a pair of free throws. Nick Young took the pass out of a timeout and fired up a three-pointer from the left side that banged off the back of the iron at the final buzzer, giving the Knicks their seventh straight win in the series.

Amar'e Stoudemire collected 23 points and 12 boards, while Tyson Chandler chipped in with 12 points and 15 boards for the Knicks, who rallied from 16 down in the opening half to stop a modest two-game skid.

'It was a big game down the stretch and Carmelo really came through,' Stoudemire said. 'We always look forward to that with him.'

Young scored 24 points, while John Wall finished with 22 and nine assists for Washington, which is off to its worst start in franchise history.

'I hope everybody's attitude is positive right now. We came in, we fought. We had a chance to win,' Wizards big man Andray Blatche said after a 15-point outing. 'We played with a lot of heart, a lot of passion. As long as we have that effort every night, we should turn things around.'

Elsewhere: LA Lakers 97, Golden State Warriors 90: Kobe Bryant erupted for 26 of his 39 points in the second half, Spaniard Pau Gasol added 17 with 11 rebounds, and the host Lakers held off the pesky Warriors.

Monta Ellis netted 18 points for the Warriors, who were without high-scoring guard Stephen Curry because of a right ankle sprain.

Chicago Bulls 97, Orlando Magic 83: Reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose collected 21 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, Carlos Boozer contributed 20 points with 13 boards, and the Bulls held off the Magic for their sixth straight victory.

Dwight Howard paced the Magic with 28 points and 15 rebounds.

Atlanta Hawks 102, Charlotte Bobcats 96 (OT): Josh Smith had 23 points with 13 rebounds, while Jeff Teague and Joe Johnson each drilled three pointers in the extra session, as the visiting Hawks bounced back to edge the Bobcats after Thursday's thrilling triple overtime loss to the Miami Heat.

Philadelphia 76ers 96, Detroit Pistons 73: Jodie Meeks scored 17 of his 21 points in the final quarter, Spencer Hawes added 16 with 14 rebounds, and the Sixers won their home-opener after pounding the Pistons.

New Jersey Nets 97, Toronto Raptors 85: Deron Williams and Anthony Morrow scored 24 points apiece, and the visiting Nets stopped a six-game slide.

Indiana Pacers 87, Boston Celtics 74: Danny Granger led six players in double-figures with 15 points, and the visiting Pacers punished the anemic-shooting Celtics.

Cleveland Cavaliers 98, Minnesota Timberwolves 87: Antawn Jamison scored 22 points, and the Cavaliers trimmed the T-Wolves despite 29 points and 14 rebounds by Kevin Love.

Denver Rockets 96, New Orleans Hornets 88: Danilo Gallinari scored 23 points, and the visiting Nuggets went on a game-breaking 19-0 second-half run for their fourth straight victory, while handing the Hornets their fifth consecutive loss.

Oklahoma City Thunder 109, Houston Rockets 94: Kevin Durant tossed in 26 points, reserve James Harden added 23, and the host Thunder routed the Rockets to snap a two-game slide.

Utah Jazz 94, Memphis Grizzlies 85: Al Jefferson had 20 points with nine rebounds and Jazz' bench outscored the Grizzlies' reserves by 30 to improve to 4-0 at home.

Phoenix Suns 102, Portland Trail Blazers 77: Jared Dudley scored 18 points, Steve Nash had 17 with nine assists before sitting out the fourth quarter, and the Suns torched the visiting Trail Blazers.