Jeremy Lin flirted with a triple-double, but the New York Knicks struggled to find the right chemistry with the return of Carmelo Anthony, losing 100-92 to the New Jersey Nets on Monday.
“I need to come out with more energy and the team needs to come out with more energy. That is why we lost,” Lin said. “We are not in panic mode. We are going to have to work through some struggles, but as long as we are all committed and buy in, we will be fine.”
It marked just the second loss since Lin’s amazing run began on Feb. 4 against the Nets when he blitzed New Jersey’s defense for 25 points.
Photo: AFP
The Knicks have eight wins and two losses since the NBA legend that is Lin was born with that 99-92 win over the Nets. Lin finished with a team-high 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as all five Knicks starters reached double figures in scoring in Monday’s loss.
“Jeremy still got 21 and nine, and he still had a great game, a good game,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Our energy wasn’t right the whole night. We got some sorting out to do.”
Lin’s incredible season began when the former benchwarmer was called up with two starters missing and answered with the most points of any NBA player in his first five starts since the NBA and ABA merged in 1976. The fairytale rise of Lin, the first -American-born NBA player of Taiwanese heritage, is all the more remarkable considering he was cut by two clubs before joining the Knicks.
Photo: Reuters
However, the Knicks had no answer on Monday to Nets point guard Deron Williams, who finished with a season-high 38 points.
Williams also scored a career-high eight three-pointers for the Nets, who snapped a five-game losing streak to the Knicks.
Kris Humphries had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds for New Jersey.
The Knicks welcomed superstar Anthony back into the lineup from injury on Monday, but he struggled to find a role in their revamped offense.
Anthony shot just four-of-11 from the field and had 11 points, well below his season average of 22.3.
Anthony had missed the team’s last seven games with a groin strain and point guard Baron Davis also made his season debut against the Nets.
However, D’Antoni refused to single out a player for blame, instead insisting the whole team was at fault for the loss.
“When a guy comes back, other guys stand around and watch what he is doing,” D’Antoni said. “It was the whole team’s fault.”
“Two or three guys were new in there and we weren’t rolling,” he said.
Amare Stoudemire (17), Tyson Chandler (14) and Landry Fields (10) also reached double figures for the Knicks.
D’Antoni said they hope to use the upcoming All-Star break to better identify the role of each player on the team.
“We got some things to sort out and figure out what identity we have to have. We need to retool a little bit and see what we can do,” D’Antoni said.
Lin has been running the Knicks’ offense since Anthony got hurt. Lin believes the two will eventually find their roles under D’Antoni’s system.
“We both make plays and we need to find a good balance,” said Lin, who makes US$17 million a season less than Anthony. “It is tough right now with no practice time, and then you throw in J.R. Smith and Baron Davis. There will be an adjustment time and things to talk about.”
Lin said it was frustrating to beat defending champions the Dallas Mavericks one night then lose to a last-place team the next.
“This is definitely a gut check,” Lin said. “We have to look inside ourselves, and come with the same energy and passion against teams with poorer records than the defending champions or the Los Angeles Lakers,” he said.
BULLS 90, HAWKS 79
In Chicago, Derrick Rose scored 23 points in his return from a five-game absence because of back pain to lead Chicago over struggling Atlanta.
Rose also had six assists and five rebounds. Carlos Boozer added 16 points, Ronnie Brewer had 13, and Luol Deng and John Lucas 10 apiece, while Joakim Noah chipped in with 16 rebounds.
Pargo had 19 points, while Josh Smith added 17 points and 12 rebounds for Atlanta.
THUNDER 101, HORNETS 93
In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook scored 31 points each to lead Oklahoma City over New Orleans for their 10th straight home win.
One night after a historic performance featuring big scoring nights from All-Stars Durant and Westbrook, and a triple-double from Serge Ibaka, the Thunder built a 26-point lead and then had to scrap it out at the end.
Jarrett Jack scored 18 points to lead New Orleans, who had a surprising three-game winning streak after losing 23 of 25.
MAVERICKS 89, CELTICS 73
In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki had 26 points and moved into the top 20 on the NBA career scoring list as Dallas beat short-handed Boston.
Nowitzki, who also had a -season-high 16 rebounds, scored all of Dallas’ points in a 10-2 run midway through the second quarter that pushed the Mavericks ahead by 14. They led by double digits the rest of the way.
The Celtics were without suspended Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and injured Brandon Bass. They also lost starters Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Wilcox to injuries in the third quarter.
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 20 points. Ray Allen added 15 and Avery Bradley 12.
WARRIORS 104, CLIPPERS 97
In Oakland, California, Monta Ellis scored 32 points and Ekpe Udoh had a season-high 19 points and eight rebounds in place of ill center Andris Biedrins to lead Golden State past Los Angeles.
Chris Paul had 25 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Mo Williams made his first six three-pointers and finished with 22 points in Los Angeles’ second straight loss. The Clippers had 18 turnovers and shot just 42 percent.
MAGIC 93, BUCKS 90
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dwight Howard had 28 points and 16 rebounds, while Jameer Nelson added 15 points to lead Orlando to their third win over Milwaukee in 10 days.
Brandon Jennings had 22 points and Mike Dunleavy added 18 for the Bucks. Ersan Ilyaosova, coming off 29 points and 25 rebounds on Sunday against New Jersey, had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
It was the Bucks’ sixth straight loss at home, the first time Milwaukee have lost six straight at the Bradley Center since a seven-game slide from Feb. 5 to Feb. 25, 2000.
ROCKETS 97, GRIZZLIES 93
In Houston, Texas, Kyle Lowry scored 24 points, Kevin Martin added 22 and Courtney Lee hit four key free throws down the stretch to lead Houston over Memphis.
Houston led by seven before Memphis went on a 5-0 run to pull to 91-89 with 27.4 seconds left. O.J. Mayo got a rebound, took it down the court and finished with a layup to cap the run.
Gay led the Grizzlies with 23 points and Mike Conley had 16.
NUGGETS 103, T’WOLVES 101, OT
In Denver, Colorado, Arron Afflalo hit a tiebreaking floater in the lane with 33.7 seconds remaining in overtime and reserve Al Harrington scored a season-high 31 points as Denver beat Minnesota.
Afflalo spun past defender Luke Ridnour and swished his shot to put Denver ahead. From there, the Nuggets closed the game out at the foul line and snapped a three-game skid.
Afflalo finished with 20 points and rookie Kenneth Faried added 14 rebounds as the Nuggets beat the Timberwolves for the 17th time in 18 games.
Kevin Love had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.
SUNS 104, WIZARDS 88
In Phoenix, Arizona, Marcin Gortat scored 20 points, while Steve Nash had 12 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds in three quarters as Phoenix beat Washington for their 10th straight win over the Wizards.
Channing Frye added 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Michael Redd scored 14 for the Suns, who topped 100 points against Washington for the 18th time in a row, the longest active streak of its kind in the NBA.
Jordan Crawford scored 20 points for the Wizards, who finished a five-game trip with three losses after winning the first two. The Suns outscored Washington 31-6 after the Wizards took their only lead of the game early in the third quarter.
SPURS 106, JAZZ 102
In Salt Lake City, Utah, Tony Parker scored 23 points and Matt Bonner hit five three-pointers as San Antonio defeated Utah for their 11th consecutive victory.
Richard Jefferson’s three-pointer with 6.5 seconds left sealed the victory for the Spurs, who have not lost on the road since Jan. 29 in Dallas. Tim Duncan had 20 points for San Antonio.
Al Jefferson led the Jazz with 20 points and Paul Millsap added 16.
The Spurs kept the NBA’s longest win streak alive despite injuries to Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter, both expected to miss two weeks. San Antonio trailed by 10 in the third quarter before rallying.
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