New York, NY (Sports Network) - Carmelo Anthony returned to the lineup just in
time to light up the Brooklyn Nets for 31 points and help the New York Knicks
cruise to a 100-86 victory at Madison Square Garden.
After splitting a pair of Battle of the Boroughs meetings at the Barclays
Center, the Knicks showed why they are currently the toast of the Big Apple.
J.R. Smith added 19 points and Tyson Chandler posted 16 points and 12 rebounds
for the Knicks, who committed just eight turnovers to Brooklyn's 14 and
allowed a mere 38 points in the second half to bounce back from their first
home loss of the season.
Joe Johnson paced the Nets with 17 points, while Brook Lopez and Deron
Williams each posted double-doubles. Lopez finished with 16 points and 10
boards and Williams chipped in 16 points and 10 assists.
After reeling off 11 wins in November, Brooklyn has gone 2-8 this month,
including a 100-97 setback to the Knicks on Dec. 11 that came down to the
final seconds.
The Sports Network