NBA: New York 96, Orlando 80

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ORLANDO, Fla., April 5 (UPI) -- Carmelo Anthony paced New York with 19 points Thursday and the Knicks pulled away in the second half to defeat listless Orlando 96-80.

The Knicks moved 1 1/2 games in front of idle Milwaukee for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Orlando has lost five in a row, its longest such streak in five years.

Seven different New York players made at least one 3-pointer and the Knicks shot 13-of-25 from long range.

Tyson Chandler had 12 points with 12 rebounds and the Knicks got 15 points each from J.R. Smith and Toney Douglas.

Dwight Howard, who had missed two games with back spasms, did not score a point in the first half and wound up with just eight. Howard has reportedly asked Orlando management to fire Coach Stan Van Gundy, a report that Van Gundy said Thursday he believed.

Jason Richardson led Orlando with 16 points and Glen Davis had 15.