THUNDER SMACK: Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler gobble up Russell Westbrook on a shot attempt during the Knicks’ 125-120 win over the Thunder yesterday in Oklahoma City.Reuters (REUTERS)
THUNDER SMACK: Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler gobble up Russell Westbrook on a shot attempt during the Knicks’ 125-120 win over the Thunder yesterday in Oklahoma City. (
)
OKLAHOMA CITY — It was their 12th straight win and maybe their very best of the 2012-13 season.
The Knicks achieved a 50-win season yesterday and further validated the streak by quieting Oklahoma City’s raucous Chesapeake Energy Arena and muting Kevin Durant with a 125-120 shootout victory on national TV.
A ferocious Carmelo Anthony outplayed Durant and trusty sidekick J.R. Smith hit two daggers in the final 1:30 to put it away as the Knicks made a major statement to critics who question whether they are a legit title contender.
“A lot of people said we were going to lose this game,’’ Raymond Felton said. “That’s a great win. A great win against a great team in this building.”
In moving to 50-26, the Knicks have their first 50-win season since 1999-2000. Their magic number to clinching their first Atlantic Division crown since 1993-94 is one.
Anthony finished with 36 points and 12 rebounds to Durant’s 27 and three. Anthony’s franchise-record-tying streak of three straight 40-plus games ended, but that hardly mattered.
“One of the biggest wins we’ve had in a long time,” Anthony said. “To come out here, keep our composure, it’s a tough place to win.’’
The Knicks can clinch the division crown tomorrow vs. Washington. They have now beaten both Miami and OKC during the streak, though the Heat didn’t play LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
“That’s special, too, but it goes hand in hand,’’ coach Mike Woodson said of the division title. “I’m looking at the big picture. We can accomplish winning our division, securing the second spot. The next step is trying to win a title. I’m in it for that and that only.’’
The Knicks, who lead the Pacers (48-29) by 2 1/2 games for the No. 2 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, were up seven going into the fourth quarter. The Thunder took a 111-110 lead with 4:00 remaining, but the Knicks righted themselves to win for the first time in Oklahoma City.
“This is maybe the biggest [win] of the season considering they’re a healthy team playing with all their guns,’’ said Tyson Chandler, who chipped a tooth but who looked healthy as he compiled 15 points and two blocks. “It’s very hard to come in this building and get a win. I feel like we score with the best of them, but we also can get stops down the stretch.”
Woodson said, “I was more impressed with the way that we just held our composure. This is a tough building to win in. It was like an old-school shootout with all the offense displayed. For our team, it was a great win.”
The Thunder were within 115-113 when Smith buried a step-back right-wing jumper with 1:30 left for a four-point cushion. After Russell Westbrook missed a 3-pointer, Felton tripped in the lane but managed to bat the ball to Smith behind the 3-point stripe. With the shot clock ticking down, Smith nailed the trey to put the Knicks up 120-113 and all but seal it with 56.8 seconds left.
“He has made plays like that,’’ Anthony said of Smith, who finished with 22 points. “He can make tough shots like that. Sometimes I think he likes to take the tougher shots over the easiers shots. That shot was a nail in the coffin.’’
“They’re a great team,” Smith said. “I wish we could’ve gotten that one at the Garden [on March 7], but Melo didn’t play. He got them back with big shots. We’re coming together at the right time, and this will help us going into the playoffs.’’
Anthony, who shot 15-of-29, did a lot of his damage on putbacks of his own misses. He had nine offensive rebounds.
“I just wanted to attack the offensive basket,’’ Anthony said.
They got a big performance off the bench from rookie Chris Copeland, who finished with 13 first-half points, keeping them up 65-56 at intermission. And Jason Kidd was hot from beyond the 3-point line, making four of six from downtown to finish with 14 points and adding lots of hustle plays.
Anthony had no turnovers and brought his total to 167 points in his past four games.
“I feel I’m just getting started,” Anthony said. “I love April. It’s a great time.”
It might be a great time again in June.
marc.berman@nypost.com