The Washington Wizards may not help one another very much on the court, but they are renowned for masking their opponents’ problems. The Knicks were the beneficiaries Friday night at Madison Square Garden, obliterating the Wizards, 103-65.

The Knicks moved into a tie for seventh place with the Sixers in the Eastern Conference and ran their home winning streak to nine games.

It did not matter that the Knicks have key veterans on minute counts as they recover from injuries and unproven youngsters without the full support of Coach Mike Woodson, who favors veterans. It did not matter that what feels like the Knicks’ umpteenth identity change will probably change again before the playoffs when Amar’e Stoudemire returns.