Knicks take winning streak to Washington

The New York Knicks will carry a five-game winning streak into a short road trip, starting Wednesday night in Washington against the Wizards.

The Knicks swept a homestand and have won their last four by double-digits. They held their opponents during this five-game run to an average of 90.6 ppg and in their last three victories, the Knicks haven't surrendered 90 points.

"I like how we're playing as a team," head coach Mike Woodson said after Monday's 99-85 win. "Everybody's contributing, nobody's worrying about minutes. That's what it's all about."

Nine Knicks played 14 or more minutes in their victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Carmelo Anthony led the way with 27 points, followed by 20 from Amare Stoudemire and 16 by J.R. Smith.

For the third game in a row, Tyson Chandler, a first-time NBA All Star and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, grabbed 20 rebounds. He became the first Knicks player with three straight games of 20-plus rebounds since Willis Reed in December of 1969.

The Knicks should be able to keep this momentum going if recent history is any barometer. New York has won 10 in a row against the Wizards, including this season's only matchup, a 108-87 drubbing at MSG on Nov. 30.

But the Wizards head into Wednesday's tilt on a roll. They beat the heavily out-manned Los Angeles Clippers, 98-90, on Monday. The Clips played the game without All-Star starters, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

"Wasn't the prettiest, but we'll take it, definitely," said head coach Randy Wittman. "Coming back off the road, I thought this was an important game for us to get, starting this three-game homestand."

The Wizards had lost four in a row before the victory over the Pacific-leading Clippers. The last three came on the road to Philadelphia, Memphis and San Antonio.

Martell Webster paced the Wizards with 21 points on 6-for-10 shooting. Nene and Garrett Temple, who started in place of the injured Bradley Beal, had 15 points apiece, followed by 13 from John Wall and 10 out of Trevor Ariza.

Beal has missed the last four games with a sprained right wrist and is listed as questionable.

Washington lost to the Sacramento Kings just before it embarked on the road trip. That snapped a five-game home winning streak, but the Wiz are 7-3 in their last 10 at home.

The Wizards last beat the Knicks on Jan. 30, 2010 in Washington. During the 10-game slide to New York, the Wizards have allowed 100 or more points in nine of those contests.