NEW ORLEANS – Stephon Marbury had 22 points and nine assists to help the Knicks end a three-game losing streak with an 86-79 victory over New Orleans last night, dropping the Hornets to 0-9 at home on the season.

After shooting 2-of-12 in the Knicks’ loss Tuesday night in Memphis, Marbury started 1-for-6 but made five of his next 11 shots, including four 3-pointers. His last basket, a driving scoop shot with about two minutes to go, stopped a 6-0 Hornets run that trimmed the Knicks’ lead – once as large as 24 – to 10.

Kurt Thomas scored 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while Nazr Mo hammed made his first five shots, finishing with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field, to carry the Knicks to an early double-digit lead. Mohammed also had nine rebounds, while Tim Thomas scored 11 points.

Lee Nailon and reserve guard Dan Dickau led New Orleans with 17 points each, while David Wesley added 13. P.J. Brown had 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Andersen finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

New York’s lead was 22 when Marbury hit his third 3-pointer, making the score 64-42 half way through the third quarter. The Knicks were shooting about 57% at that point, then suddenly lost its offense.

The Knicks failed to score on the last seven possession of the period, but the Hornets also struggled and could get no closer that 68-54 after Chris Andersen’s tip in with 10 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Mohammed reached 10 points before a minute had elapsed in the second quarter. The 8-foot jumper capped a 14-2 run that gave the Knicks an early 30-17 lead.

Outshooting New Orleans 54.3% to 32.6% for the half, the Knicks kept a double-digit lead throughout the second period and led 45-29 after Marbury’s 3-pointer.

After Wesley responded with a 3,Tim Thomas connected while driving into a crowd, giving New York a 47-32 lead at halftime.

Allan Houston remained out of uniform in his second game since being activated from injured reserve.