Jamal Crawford scored 31 points and Stephon Marbury added 25 as the Knicks’ starting backcourt combined for 50 more points than their Denver counter parts in New York’s 107-96 win yesterday over the Nuggets.

Crawford scored 17 points in the third quarter, and Marbury added 11 assists to help the Knicks win for the second time in six games and snap the Nuggets’ four-game winning streak.

Crawford was more aggressive taking the ball to the basket on an afternoon when the old starting shooting guard, Allan Houston, played his first home game of the season.

Coach Lenny Wilkens has said Houston will eventually return to the starting lineup, though it won’t necessarily be in the backcourt. Houston could move to small forward in place of the inconsistent Tim Thomas, although such a lineup would leave the Knicks with a size disadvantage against most opponents.

Denver, making the third stop of a seven-game, 11-day road trip, lost for only the second time in 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents. Carmelo Anthony scored 26 points, and ex-Knick Marcus Camby added a season-high 21 points and 14 rebounds. Starting guards Greg Buckner (four points) and Andre Miller (two points) shot a combined 3-for-10.

Miller and Anthony each had seven of Denver’s 22 turnovers.

Crawford was 11-for-19 from the field and Marbury was 10-for-18, while Houston scored nine points on 3-for-11 shooting in 17 minutes.

Kurt Thomas added 10 points and 18 rebounds for the Knicks, who made it through their first 20 games with a 10-10 record – exactly the benchmark team president Isiah Thomas set during training camp.

The Knicks took the lead for good midway through the second quarter and found themselves with a 49-44 halftime advantage despite allowing the Nuggets a half-dozen dunks.

Crawford got the lead up to double digits by scoring 12 points in the first 5:20 of the third quarter, and he reached 15 when his third 3 of the period dropped through for a 70-56 lead.

The Knicks stayed comfortably ahead until Denver used an 8-0 run early in the fourth quarter to pull to 88-82. Marbury answered with a short jumper, Camby missed a layup, and Crawford was fouled on a 3-point attempt with a second left on the shot clock. Crawford then drove around Rodney White for a hanging layup that turned into a three-point play to make it 95-84, and Denver never threatened the rest of the way.

In a pre-game meeting with reporters, Isiah Thomas said he would not trade Houston. “I like him. I want to see our team have a chance to play with him.” Houston, who discussed the issue with Thomas, indicated he would not be surprised by a trade.