KNICKS 104, BOBCATS 84: J.R. Smith had a game-high 22 points as New York handed host Charlotte its 23rd straight defeat and relegated the team to the worst winning percentage in NBA history.

The Knicks locked up the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with the victory and will play the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

The Bobcats’ 23-game skid is the longest to end a season in NBA history, surpassing a 19-game run by the Cavaliers to close out the 1981-82 campaign.

Charlotte (7-59, .106) surpassed the Philadelphia 76ers club that went 9-73 for a .109 percentage in 1972-73.

New York only dressed 10 players with Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony and Baron Davis getting the night off. Amar’e Stoudemire did start and scored 21 points in 24 minutes.

Gerald Henderson led all Charlotte scorers with 21 points.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Bobcats forward Derrick Brown (right ankle sprain) didn’t play. ... The Bobcats dropped their final 12 contests on the road. Their last win was March 17 against the Toronto Raptors. ... New York is 17-6 since Mike Woodson took over the coaching duties from Mike D’Antoni.