By Michael Ventura
DNAinfo Managing Editor
MANHATTAN — The boos have returned to Madison Square Garden after the New York Knicks got blown out at home by the Orlando Magic, 111-99, on Wednesday.
New York has struggled since acquiring Carmelo Anthony in a blockbuster deal with the Denver Nuggets last month. They've lost four straight games and seven of their last eight, to drop their record below .500 to 35-36.
The Knicks, who looked like a sure-fire playoff team just a few weeks ago, are now 3 1/2 games from falling out of the playoff picture, with 11 left to play, the New York Post reported.
"It's not good," coach Mike D'Antoni told the Post. "But our goal is to get in the playoffs."
Anthony, who finished with 24 points, wasn't worried.
"We need to relax, we are putting to much pressure on ourselves," Anthony told the Post. "We need to relax and have fun. I don't think there's no fun in the game and we need to bring it back."
Amar'e Stoudemire scored just 13 points Wednesday night, his fewest since joining the Knicks, the New York Times reported.
"I thought he had heavy legs tonight," D'Antoni said of Stoudemire, according to the Times. "He didn't have the balance that he normally has."
For the Magic, All Star center Dwight Howard dropped 33 points against the Knicks undersized interior defense.
New York gets a chance for a much-needed win Friday night in a rematch against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Garden. The Knicks lost to the Bucks 100-95 in Milwaukee on Sunday.
