Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks roll to drama-less win in Nets rematch despite off Jalen Brunson night

The Knicks had an easier time beating the Nets in the rematch.

Overcoming an off shooting night from Jalen Brunson, the home team was boosted by the return of Karl-Anthony Towns and rode another strong performance by OG Anunoby for a 114-104 victory Sunday over the Nets.

The Knicks (7-6) led for the final three quarters to topple the Nets (5-9) twice over three days, although bragging rights in this inter-borough matchup haven’t meant much since Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant departed.

The energy at the Garden on Sunday — or lack thereof — was indicative of a rivalry that carries the juice of a steamrolled grape.

The Knicks are now clearly the better team in NYC and showed it with more authority than Friday, when they required a game-winning trey from Brunson in the final seconds.

Sunday was devoid of drama despite Brunson shooting 3 of 14.

“One time in the fourth quarter, I looked up and [Brunson] only had like eight points. And we were winning by like eight or whatever it was,” Josh Hart said. “I was like, ‘It’s nice to have a good, talented team where we’re not so reliant on JB scoring and creating and doing all those things.’

“It’s not so much pressure on him to knock down shots. Sometimes he can take a couple breaths, a couple possessions. And we can still hoop.”

Hart, who again stuffed the box score with 20 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, is the symbol of the recent dominance over the Nets.

He hasn’t lost to Brooklyn since joining the Knicks two seasons ago with an 8-0 record.

He’s also credited — or blamed — with egging on the trade for Mikal Bridges, who was swapped from Brooklyn before this season and dropped 21 points on his former team Sunday.

The Knicks, who had struggled in fourth quarters all season, led by double-digits for the final five minutes. Their defense clamped down when it mattered most, holding Brooklyn to 17 points in the final 10 minutes.

“Playing the same team twice, it’s not easy to do,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Came out, played hard on both sides of the ball. But our rebounding was good. Defense good. So just keep building, keep getting better.”

Brunson couldn’t buy a bucket, but dished out 10 assists. Anunoby added 24 points while holding Nets spark plug Cam Thomas to just 16 points on 4-for-11 shooting.

Towns, who missed the previous game with a contused knee, finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds but may have injured his back on a hard spill in the third quarter.

“It’s all good, it’s all good,” Towns reassured.

The Knicks were missing Miles McBride for the second straight game. He’s been dealing with inflammation associated from a hyperextended knee sustained early in the season.

McBride also was ill last week.

Without their regular sixth man, the Knicks rotation included a heavy dose of Cam Payne (nine points, 17 minutes) and an appearance from rookie Pacome Dadiet (0 points in 10 minutes).

Jericho Sims remained the backup center over Ariel Hukporti and arguably played his best game with stout defense in his 18 minutes, including during crunch time with Towns on the bench.