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New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (#7) drives past Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala.

The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers got together for 48 minutes of basketball Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center, with both teams fighting for the same thing: A better seeding in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

Both teams, until fairly recently, were flip-flopping their positions in the playoff race. As of late, the Knicks had won four straight while the Sixers had lost two consecutive games, hence the importance of this contest.

But Carmelo Anthony put the kibosh on Philadelphia’s plans as he scored 31 points, leading New York to the key 97-92 win, moving up to the #6 seed.

The Knicks started out well, building a double-digit lead; but four 76ers players sparked a 11-0 run in the second quarter that cut the lead to 49-41 at the intermission.

Anthony had New York pulling away in the third, sinking a 19-footer then a pair of three-pointers that made it a 14-point game. But the Knicks lost Chauncey Billups late in the third as he lay flat on a stomach for a bit until he left the game. He would be disgnosed with a bruised right thigh and wouldn’t return.

As it turned out, New York wouldn’t need him as they entered the fourth quarter ahead 78-65.

The final quarter seemed like one where two teams were fighting for the top seed instead of the sixth. Thaaddeus Young attacked the basket for several baskets and Jodie Meeks capped the comeback and 10-0 spurt on a fast break off a turnover.

But the Sixers’ rally was short-lived.

Toney Douglas drained a 3-pointer and Young fumbled the ball out of bounds, with Douglas making hay with a pair of free throws. Douglas would hit the go-ahead trey with 1:47 remaining for a 90-88 lead, then made two free throws with 42 ticks left on the game clock for a four-point lead.

Andre Iguodala got Philadelphia to within one with a 3. But Anthony came through with a trey of his own, putting New York ahead to stay at 95-91.

Anthony led the Knicks with a game-high 31 points (including five 3-pointers), along with 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks while Amare Stoudemire added 18 with 6 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal and 3 blocks. Douglas chipped in 17 (including three treys) with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a block.

The 76ers were led by Young with 25 points, along with 7 rebounds while Elton Brand added 24 with 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks. Iguodala chipped in 15 with 5 rebounds, 6 assists and a block.

Both teams return to action on Friday as New York (40-38) makes the short trip to Newark to take on the New Jersey Nets while Philadelphia (40-39) remains at home to host the Toronto Raptors.