Knicks hope to halt skid at San Antonio

(SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Knicks will try to halt a nine-game losing streak, but things won't be easy as they visit the defending champion San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night.

The Knicks haven't won since a Nov. 22 decision over the Philadelphia 76ers, who only trail the Knicks by a half-game in the Eastern Conference standings. New York has the worst road record in the league at 1-10 and that lone victory came in the road opener on Oct. 30 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

On Tuesday, the road losing streak reached 10 games thanks to a 104-93 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.

Amar'e Stoudemire scored a season-high 26 points for New York, but Carmelo Anthony was held to a relatively quiet 17 and managed just two points in the fourth quarter.

"It's kind of like 'Groundhog Day' at this point," Stoudemire said. "After the game you have the same feeling. ... It's tough."

J.R. Smith managed 17 points on 6-for-18 shooting.

The Knicks close their road trip on Friday night at TD Bank Garden versus the Boston Celtics.

The Spurs had a two-game winning streak come to an odd end Tuesday night. They fell to the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City after the Jazz had lost the nine previous games.

Tim Duncan tallied 23 points and 14 boards, while Kawhi Leonard supplied 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals for San Antonio, which has lost two of its last four on the heels of an eight-game winning streak.

"They played better than we did in almost every facet of the game. They looked really good and they deserved to win for sure," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

Tony Parker missed his second consecutive contest with a mild hamstring strain. His status for Wednesday is unknown.

Marco Belinelli finished with 13 and Manu Ginobili chipped in 10, but went 3- for-17 from the field.

Duncan inched the Spurs within a point to start the fourth quarter, but the Jazz went on a 12-2 surge to close the game out. The Spurs never made it a one-possession game the rest of the way.

The Knicks have won three of the last four matchups with the Spurs, including two straight in San Antonio.