SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs keep rolling at home and look to improve to 22-0 this season when they host the New York Knicks on Friday.
The Spurs have won 30 consecutive home games dating back to last season, and the latest edition was an easy 123-98 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Recommended Videos
San Antonio has won six straight overall games by an average of 20.3 points and 13 of its last 14. The Spurs shot 60.5 percent from the field and matched a season high for points in the rout of Utah, and have averaged 122.3 points over the last three games.
New York is also playing well with three straight victories, and Wednesday's 98-90 road win against the Miami Heat allowed the Knicks to top last season's 17-win total.
"We were intense, but there was a relaxed look, as if we were in control of what we wanted to do," Knicks coach Derek Fisher told reporters after the victory. "It takes a while to develop that, and it's hard to keep that."
TV: 7:30 p.m. CT, FSN Southwest
ABOUT THE KNICKS (18-19): Small forward Carmelo Anthony had 25 points versus Miami and did it on efficient 9-of-12 shooting as he notched his fifth 20-point outing in the past six games.
"I thought he was patient," Fisher said. "That's something he's been working on hard to develop as the season has gone on. I think he can be efficient when he plays relaxed, poised and confident."
Anthony has shown more of a willingness to play team basketball this season and his average of 3.7 assists ranks second highest in his career behind a 3.8 average with the Denver Nuggets in 2006-07.
ABOUT THE SPURS (31-6): Point guard Tony Parker (hip) has sat out the last two games and it is unclear whether he will be fit to play against the Knicks. Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge was rested against Utah and center Tim Duncan reverted to a scoring role with a season-best 18 points while power forward David West moved into the starting lineup to contribute 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting and collect a season-high 13 rebounds.
"We're going through the process of trying to get better every game," West told reporters. "Continue to protect our home court and continue to focus on our defense. Regardless of who plays, we're trying to make sure that we attempt to make it perfect."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. SF Kawhi Leonard had 18 points and 14 rebounds as the Spurs defeated the Knicks 94-84 on Nov. 2.
2. New York C Robin Lopez is averaging 14.7 points on 20-of-33 shooting during the three-game winning streak.
3. San Antonio SG Danny Green made two 3-pointers against Utah to move into second place in franchise history with 662, passing Bruce Bowen (661 from 2001-09).