Bledsoe, Thomas carry Suns past Knicks, 99-90

NEW YORK (AP) -- Eric Bledsoe had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Isaiah Thomas scored 22 points, and the Phoenix Suns beat the New York Knicks 99-90 on Saturday.

Markieff Morris added 19 points for the Suns, who won their second straight after a six-game skid.

Thomas made a 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter, giving Phoenix the lead for good and triggering an 8-0 burst. Marcus Morris made another and Alex Lin tipped in a miss for a 75-68 lead, and the Knicks were playing catch-up from there.

Carmelo Anthony had 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks after missing a game with a sore left knee, but he was on the bench for a rest when the Suns surged into the lead. New York has lost four straight and is 5-24.

Jose Calderon added 21 points for the Knicks, who rested Amare Stoudemire while already playing without the injured Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith.

New York got within three points headed into the final 3 minutes, but Thomas made a free throw, Markieff Morris nailed a jumper and Thomas followed with a 3-pointer, pushing the lead to 95-86 with 1:34 to go.

Phoenix burst out to a 15-4 lead midway through the first quarter before Calderon steadied the Knicks with a couple of 3-pointers. New York cut it to three after one and surged to a seven-point lead in the final minute of the second before taking a 47-44 advantage to halftime.

Markieff Morris then scored 12 in the third quarter to keep Phoenix within a point headed to the final 12 minutes.

TIP-INS

Suns: Phoenix is 6-1 on the road against Eastern Conference teams. ... Markieff Morris, who picked up two technical fouls and was ejected from Wednesday's loss in Charlotte, got called for another after the first half ended Saturday. Anthony shot it before the second half started.

Knicks: The Knicks were playing the first of three straight day games. They visit Toronto on Sunday afternoon and are home to face Washington in a noon tip on Christmas. ... Shumpert said he doesn't need pain medication for the shoulder he dislocated Dec. 12 at Boston, just ice. The Knicks said after the injury that he would be re-evaluated in three weeks.

UP NEXT

Suns: Visit Washington on Sunday.

Knicks: Visit Toronto on Sunday.

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