NBA

Anthony’s 40 points fuel red-hot Knicks past Hawks

ELEVATION: J.R. Smith hangs on the rim after dunking the ball in the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ 95-82 victory over the Hawks last night in Atlanta. (AP)

ATLANTA — With Bernard King in the building, a laser-like Carmelo Anthony looked poised to match his idol’s back-to-back 50-point games.

Anthony roared to 36 points after three quarters last night, blazing a clear southern trail of greatness after blitzing the Heat for 50 on Tuesday night.

But Anthony would have to settle for an even 40. He became more creator in the fourth quarter with Atlanta doubling him as the Knicks finished off the Hawks with a 95-82 victory to the roars of a Philips Arena crowd filled with a lot of their fans.

The winning steak stands at 10 games — the longest since the 1993-94 season when the club made the NBA Finals. The Knicks (48-26) moved 22 games above .500 for the first time since 1997.

For Anthony, 90 points in two nights is plenty good enough and he even passed up a chance of returning in the fourth quarter earlier, telling coach Mike Woodson he needed more rest. Anthony is the first Knick to score 40-plus points in two straight games since Patrick Ewing in the 1989-90 season.

Anthony finished 17 of 27 from the field, hitting tough mid-range jumpers all over Hotlanta.

After the final buzzer, King said, “I was hoping he’d get to 51.’’

“I thought I had a chance for it,’’ Anthony said. “My teammates were encouraging me to try to get it done. That always a good feeling when you got your teammates cheering you on. I’ve had games where I had great rhythm, but to have two games in a row like this, I can’t recall that.’’

King, who lives in Atlanta and set his 50-50 combo in 1985, spoke with Anthony afterward.

“He said it was impressive,’’ Anthony said. “Impressive for him to watch and he said it reminded it of him when he played.”

With the Knicks playing off Anthony, J.R. Smith and Raymond Felton came on in the fourth quarter to deliver the knockout blows. Smith finished with 19 points and Felton had 10 of his 14 points in the fourth, with instructions from Anthony to drive the ball down the lane because the Hawks weren’t leaving him.

Anthony was 35 of 53 in the Miami-Atlanta road trip.

“Talking to him before the game, he said the torch is still lit, I got to go to work,’’ Kenyon Martin said. “I’ve seen it before. I’m not surprised.’’

Loud Melo chants rang out in Atlanta as Anthony shot free throws in the first half.

“The rhythm was still there,’’ Anthony said. “I just wanted to see if I still had it. It was just one of those nights once again.’’

Woodson pulled Anthony to start the fourth quarter. He didn’t return until 8:31 was left.

“If I didn’t sit him in the beginning of the fourth, it probably would’ve been [50],’’ Woodson said. “He was sucking wind and needed a blow. When I turned to him at the two-minute mark, he looked at me like I was crazy. I was going to bring him for [Steve] Novak, then Novak hit the 3. We went with Novak a couple of more minutes.’’

Anthony, who had a right knee draining procedure just 2 1/2 weeks ago, admitted rest was more vital than rolling two 50s.

“I was trying to get some rest,’’ Anthony said. “The schedule’s not been in our favor. He looked at me. I was like whatever you want me to do. He gave it a couple of more minutes.‘’

The Knicks led 47-40 at halftime behind Anthony’s 24 points. He had 27 at halftime in Miami on the way to 50. He finished 9 of 13 in the half last night.

“He’s playing well right now,’’ Woodson said, smiling. “He’s played well all year, but he’s back to playing really well right now.’’

Anthony was looking to distribute in the fourth quarter and fired a pass to Smith cross court. He drove to the hole and threw down a monster dunk that had the plethora of Knicks fans in the arena howling.

King’s record is safe — for now.