Melo highest-scoring game this season not enough for hosts.
Despite 45 points from Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks could not avoid another home defeat as they fell to a 109-106 loss to the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
After sitting out of the last game due to a foot injury, James Harden returned to the Rockets line-up and scored 36 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, while the guard also grabbed nine rebounds.
Coach Kevin McHale would have been pleased with the effort shown from his team, who also had Chandler Parsons (22 points) and Jeremy Lin (21 points) to thank for significant contributions.
In contrast, opposite number Mike Woodson would have been left disappointed despite an improved performance from his team as they slipped to 1-4 at home so far this season.
Melo led the way with a season-high 45 points, with Andrea Bargnani also impressing at both ends of the court with 24 points and a defensive effort to restrict Dwight Howard which will undoubtedly go a long way to changing opinion in New York.
While there were more boos at one stage of the game, the Knicks were able to implement their three-point game that worked so effectively last season, and with J.R. Smith showing signs of fitness and form they will be optimistic about turning their slump around.
After an exciting conclusion, Woodson was ultimately frustrated with another defeat but believes that his players are still “learning from each other and trying to figure it out”, as reported by ESPN.
Nevertheless, the Knicks fall to 3-5 for the season as the pressure was only temporarily eased after their win in Atlanta, while Houston improve to 6-4.
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