New York Knicks down Boston Celtics to claim fifth straight victory

The New York Knicks claimed a 100-85 victory over the out-of-form Boston Celtics to extend their winning run to five games.

JR Smith came off the bench to score a game-high 32 points while Carmelo Anthony, the only other Knicks player to get into double digits, chipped in with 29 points.

Boston, who have now lost five in a row, were 14 points down at half-time and never managed to mount a comeback after the break at TD Garden.

Five members of the Celtics managed to get into double figures, with Jeff Green tallying a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Elsewhere, Dirk Nowitzki poured in 33 points as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 109-102, with the Clippers' Chris Paul also scoring 33 points but seven turnovers.

The Minnesota Timberwolves claimed a comfortable 105-82 over the Detroit Pistons, Nikola Pekovic scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds and JJ Barea notching 21 points from the bench.