Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks couldn’t play defense all night during a disheartening loss to the Denver Nuggets at MSG.
- New York Knicks 131 (22-33)
- Denver Nuggets 123 (24-29)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
It’s amazing to think the New York Knicks once sported a dominant home court record at one point during this awful season. They did, but now that’s over.
Despite 21 points from Carmelo Anthony in the fourth quarter, the Knickerbockers harmlessly fell to the below-average Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, 131-123.
It was offensive bonanza from the getgo. Both New York and Denver were lights out in the first quarter, combining for 66 points. At halftime, the score was 66-64 in favor of the Nuggets. At one point, New York led by 12 in the first half.
In the end, however, it was the same old story as the Knicks defense let them down. Even Melo’s 21 couldn’t hide the horrendous D in the second half.
Speaking of Melo, he finished with a team-high 33 points on 13-of-20 from the floor and a sweet 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. Kristaps Porzingis went for 17 while Kyle O’Quinn chipped in with 16 off the bench.
The star of the game turned out to be Nikola Jokic who poured in 40 points on a ridiculous 17-23 from the floor. He finished just one rebound shy of a double-double.
The Knicks shot 56 percent from the floor, scored 123 points and still lost.
Now 11-games under .500 and riding a four-game losing streak, the Knicks will next turn their attention to the great San Antonio Spurs for a Sunday matinee at the Garden.