Carmelo Anthony returned to the lineup against his old team after missing two games with a finger injury. He scored 34 points on 10 for 24 shooting. He was able to get to the line. 16 times in fact.
The Knicks and Nuggets each grabbed the lead back and forth, focusing on their strengths. The young Nuggets were agile and mobile in transition. The veteran Knicks showed guile in the halfcourt. Jason Kidd received a knot on his head after drawing fouls by pump faking. The Knicks ball movement was at winning level.
Denver turned the ball over 16 times. New York did so only 9 times. Denver shot only 17 threes and did so poorly. New York made 40% of their 30 attempts. Yet, the Nuggets held an 88-80 lead early int he fourth quarter.
That's when Steve Novak nailed a couple of threes. Kidd continued his brilliance. For the first time this season, his numbers vaguely resembled his importance out on the floor. He scored 17 and assisted 7 times. Tyson Chandler kept up his strong rebounding, grabbing 12. He also shot 7 for 8 from the field for 15 points.
The Knicks rolled off a 12-0 run to take a 4 point lead. The lead stretched even more and it became evident that the Nuggets didn't have the maturity to win this one. Raymond Felton and J.R. Smith shot poorly once again, combining for a 9 for 34 night from the field. They went 2 for 9 from beyond the arc. Smith had 15 points and 9 rebounds, however. But both men struggled for again. Smith is in a shooting slump.
The Knicks won 112-106 and are now 15-5. The Knicks are the only undefeated team at home in the NBA.
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