The Knicks had an easier time beating the Nets in the rematch.
Overcoming an off night from Jalen Brunson, the home team was boosted by the return of Karl-Anthony Towns and rode another strong performance by OG Anunoby for a 114-104 victory Sunday over the Nets.
The Knicks (7-6) led for the final three quarters and toppled the Nets (5-9) twice over three days, although bragging rights in this inter-borough matchup haven’t meant much since Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant bolted. The energy in the Garden on Sunday — or lack thereof — was indicative of a rivalry that carries the juice of a steamrolled grape.
The Knicks are clearly better and they showed it with more authority than Friday, when they required a game-winning trey from Brunson in the final seconds.
Sunday was devoid of drama.
The Knicks, who had struggled in fourth quarters all season, led by double-digits for the final five minutes.
Brunson shot just 3-for-14 but dished out 10 assists. Anunoby added 24 points while holding Brooklyn spark plug Cam Thomas to just 16 points on 4-for-11 shooting. Towns, who finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds, returned from one injury but may have suffered another. He took a hard spill late in the third quarter, a slip-and-tumble that left him almost horizontal before landing on his lower back.
Towns was in clear pain and sat the final 7:20.
The Knicks were missing Miles McBride, their sixth man, for the second straight game. He has been dealing with inflammation associated with a hyperextended knee sustained early in the season. McBride also was ill last week.
Without McBride, the Knicks rotation included a heavy dose of Cam Payne (nine points, 17 minutes) and an appearance from rookie Pacome Dadiet (0 points in 10 minutes).
Jericho Sims remained the backup center and arguably played his best game with stout defense in his 18 minutes, including during crunch time.