NBA: Skid snapped, Knicks start West swing with surging Suns

After ending a four-game losing streak that coach Mike Brown described as "embraced," the New York Knicks will start a four-game Western Conference trip against the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

The Knicks halted their season-long slump with a 123-111 home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Jalen Brunson was one of three players to score 20 points, and New York outscored the Clippers 72-55 in the second half.

"When you go through what we went through, it's tough," Brown said. "Nobody wants to lose, but I embraced it because it helps me be better. And I felt our group embraced it."

Phoenix comes off a 117-98 win at Memphis, making a season-high 22 3-pointers. The Suns have won three of their last four games and seven of nine to start a short two-game homestand.

During their losing streak, the Knicks dropped three games by double digits. Their 121-90 loss to Detroit on Monday was the largest of the season and marked the fewest points scored by the team.

"The biggest thing is that they stay together," Brown said. "They stay with it. We tweaked some stuff here, tweaked some stuff there. The guys responded fantastically."

With Josh Hart (ankle) still sidelined, Brown inserted Miles McBride into the starting lineup for the second time in six games since his return from a left ankle injury. McBride’s assignment was to disrupt Clippers guard James Harden.

McBride finished with 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting and made 4 of 11 3-point attempts. Harden scored 23 points on 6-of-17 shooting, including four 3-pointers.

"Deuce (McBride) ended up being the defensive player of the game," Brown said. "He's an extremely good on-ball defender, especially in the pick-and-roll. You know you’re not going to stop him (Harden). You just hope he misses some shots."

Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby each scored 20 points for the Knicks, who have won three straight games and four of five against Phoenix.

Since October 31, the Knicks and Suns are two of nine teams with at least 21 wins. The Knicks, NBA Cup winners, are 22-11 in that span, while the Suns are 21-11.

"They pose a lot of problems, especially with their offense," Suns coach Jordan Ott said. "They space the floor and get to the free-throw line. It'll be a new challenge, and that's what it is in the NBA. There’s no let-up."

Former Grizzlies Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen each hit five 3-pointers in Phoenix’s win over Memphis, a game in which the Suns attempted a season-high 56 shots from distance. Brooks scored 21 points, Allen added 19 off the bench, and Devin Booker contributed 13 points with eight assists while effectively passing out of double-teams. Allen returned after missing nine games with a knee injury.

"They were giving us a lot of outside shots," Brooks said. "They were in the paint. We were making the passes and knocking them down. I think we can get more than 22 threes. We made the right plays."

The Knicks were without Hart and Landry Shamet (right shoulder) against the Clippers. Suns reserve guard Jamaree Bouyea (concussion) did not play against Memphis.

—Field Level Media/Reuters