Raptors lose to Knicks, clinch Atlantic Division title with Nets' loss

Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 30 points and Amar'e Stoudemire scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the New York Knicks overcame a slow start to defeat the Toronto Raptors 108-100 on Friday.

Though the Raptors were looking to clinch the Atlantic Division in front of a home crowd, they had to wait until the Brooklyn Nets fell 93-88 to the Atlanta Hawks later Friday to secure their second division title in franchise history.

New York (34-45) came to Toronto hoping to extend its chance of making the playoffs.

DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors (46-33) with 26 points. Kyle Lowry added 25 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 14 points and a career-high 21 rebounds.

Amir Johnson returned to the lineup after missing the previous three games with a sore right ankle. He played 16 minutes and was scoreless from the field.

The Knicks shot 50 per cent from the floor in the first quarter, but the Raptors held a two-point advantage over New York heading into the second quarter after scoring six of eight three-point attempts.