NBA: New York 87, Detroit 77

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 6 (UPI) -- Raymond Felton was one of three New York players to reach 20 points Wednesday and without Carmelo Anthony the Knicks rallied to down Detroit 87-77.

Detroit led by 12 with less than 4 minutes to go in the third period, but the Knicks surged in front with J.R. Smith scoring nine of his 20 points in the fourth period. The Pistons were held to a dozen points in the final 12 minutes.

The Knicks won their second in a row and maintained a 3 1/2-game lead over Brooklyn in the Atlantic Division.

Felton hit four 3-pointers and scored 26 points. Amar'e Stoudemire added 22 points and nine rebounds.

Anthony, who averages 28 points a game, did not play due to an injured right knee.

It was the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the teams and New York won them all.

The Pistons were led by Brandon Knight with 17 points.