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Afflalo scores 38, Knicks beat Hawks 111-97

New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives past Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford (15) for a shot during the first half of the NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 in New York.

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The Lakers, coming off victories over Boston and Philadelphia, have won three in a row for the first time since February a year ago.

The New York Knicks have had a rough stretch of games recently, losing five of their last six.

Afflalo was 14 for 17 from the field and 7 for 8 from 3-point range, making his first seven attempts and nearing his career best of 43 points.

Kobe Bryant sat out his second straight game because of a sore right shoulder.

Pressed if that really was what he wanted to talk about after pouring in 38 points on 14-of-17 shooting, Afflalo said, “It’s the truth because when we get defensive stops we tend to get run-outs, open shots; defense is actually the answer”.

NY surges ahead in the second quarter as Kristaps Porzingis connects from the top of the key, and the rookie would finish with 14 points. This outburst came out of nowhere, as he scored only 47 points in the last six games combined.

Butler had 40 points in the second half and finished with 42 to lead the Bulls to their win at Air Canada Centre. They will be facing off with the Hawks again Tuesday as the teams will be playing for a third time in nine days.

The Hawks would try to keep it close as Paul Millsap dunks in a pair of his team-best 19 points midway through the fourth quarter.

Knicks: Fisher wants point guard Jose Calderon to shoot more but added the ball “has to move in order for guys to get shots.”…

With the lead down to 10, Carmelo Anthony dishes to Afflalo for the trey, and that swings the momentum back in favor of the Knicks.

The Knicks improved to 8-2 when Afflalo scores 15 or more points.

Aaron Afflalo broke out of his slump in a big way as he led the Knicks to a victory over the Atlanta Hawks Sunday night.

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Jan 3, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Arron Afflalo (4) gestures after a three point basket during the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. A win would even the season series between the two teams, and a loss will set a rough tone for the first of three road games.

Getty Images       Knicks overcome Hawks Butler stars for Bulls