6 @Nuggets score in double-figures (Faried- 24, Jokic 20) as DEN outlasts NY 110-94. Melo had 30 for the @nyknicks. pic.twitter.com/P7m1Rn3cNP
— NBA (@NBA) March 9, 2016
Despite Carmelo Anthony making a return to Denver, his New York Knicks were unable to lift their play. They were defeated 114-90.
Denver Nuggets 110 (26-38)
New York Knicks 94 (26-39)
NBA, Full Game Box Score
Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
The New York Knicks played against the Denver Nuggets tonight like they did every night in the dog days of the Mike Woodson era. Right from jump against a shameful Denver crowd, they looked uninspired and lazy.
The #Knicks fall to the Nuggets 110-94 despite a game-high 30p from @carmeloanthony. #NYKvsDEN
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 9, 2016
The Nuggets are known for the altitude in the Pepsi Center affecting the opposing team’s stamina, and an up-tempo style. For some reason, the Knicks weren’t prepared for that attack.
Denver’s bigs, Kenneth Faried (24 pts, 10 rebs) and Nikola Jokic (20 pts, 9 rebs) consistently outhustled and outmuscled Robin Lopez and Kristaps Porzingis for the entire game.
Manimal goes BOOM.#Nuggets pic.twitter.com/vrnXn2TvnJ
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 9, 2016
Gary Harris absolutely torched Arron Afflalo for 16 points, and Nuggets point guards’ Emmanuel Mudiay and D.J. Augustin did anything they wanted. The Nuggets dominated the paint scoring 62 points in that area, including 24 in the first quarter.
The Knicks defense was pitiful tonight, with both Jose Calderon and Langston Galloway getting beat off the dribble. As much criticism as Calderon takes, Galloway gets off scott free for some reason.
Ultimately, Faried was the difference maker tonight. He made the Knickerbockers look silly with six offensive boards, and his trademark high octane style of play was to much for Porzingis to handle on this night.
The Knicks embarrased themselves on the road in Denver tonight. That has to hurt Anthony, when he drops 30 points and the rest of his team just isn’t there to back him up.
His team was hanging their heads with defeated body language as early as the third quarter, so no matter how close they got there was never a feeling that anyone but Anthony would make a play.
Down the stretch the offense was as dull as always, multiple calls for Afflalo in the post and Melo isolations.
Games like tonight make you wonder why Anthony would want to be a Knick.
