Knicks 116, Celtics 92: Carmelo Anthony had 34 points and nine rebounds as New York defeated host Boston for its fifth consecutive victory.

Tim Hardaway Jr. added 22 points off the bench as the Knicks moved into ninth place in the Eastern Conference and within three games of the Atlanta Hawks for the final playoff spot. J.R. Smith scored 13 points and Cole Aldrich added 12 points and 10 rebounds in his first career start.

Jeff Green scored 27 points for the Celtics, who lost their second straight game and dropped to 14-20 at home. Kris Humphries and Jerryd Bayless added 15 points apiece and Jared Sullinger scored 10.

Boston trailed by 20 at halftime but Green scored 17 third-quarter points to keep the Celtics in the game and help trim New York’s lead to 85-75 entering the final stanza. Anthony’s 3-pointer capped a 10-2 quarter-opening run to get the lead back to 18 points and Boston never threatened again.

The Knicks shot 60.5 percent from the field in the first half and led by as many as 24 en route to a 68-48 halftime advantage. Anthony had 19 points at the break and Hardaway poured in 17.

GAME NOTEBOOK: New York went 11-of-19 from 3-point range while Boston was 8-of-20. … Humphries is averaging 16.7 points over the last three games. … Knicks C Tyson Chandler (personal matter) missed his second straight game while New York PF Amar’e Stoudemire and Boston PG Rajon Rondo both sat out to rest.