Denver Nuggets hand the New York Knicks their sixth-straight loss
The Denver Nuggets (6-5) got past the New York Knicks (3-8) with a 120-118 victory on Tuesday 16 November at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Carmelo Anthony, despite shooting 8-for-21 from the field, led Denver with 26 points and nine rebounds while Al Harrington had 22 points in 21 minutes off the bench. Gary Forbes went 3-for-3
from long range, finishing with 19 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Chauncey Billups finished with 13 points and eight assists while Nene tallied 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Power forward Shelden Williams chipped in with 10 points and five boards.
The Knicks were led by Amar’e Stoudemire, who recently called out his team for their lack of effort, with 24 points but only six rebounds. Landry Fields had a robust double-double with
21 points and 17 rebounds while Danilo Gallinari finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Starting point guard Raymond Felton finished with 19 points and a game-high 11 assists while Wilson Chandler led all bench scorers with 23 points and five blocks.
After both teams scored 26 points in the opening quarter, the Nuggets built themselves a lead in the second, heading into the break up seven points. The Nuggets looked to be in control
of the game as they built on their lead in the third quarter to enter the final 12 minutes up 94-82.
But the Knicks made it a game in the final frame, getting to within two points after a free throw by Felton with just over three minutes remaining. On the next trip down the floor for
the Knicks, Chandler sunk two free throws to knot the game up at 109 apiece. Billups and Ty Lawson scored two big buckets to put the Nuggets back up. With the Nuggets clinging to a 119-115 lead, Felton hit a three with a few seconds remaining to get his team
to within one point but Billups made a free throw at the other end and then intentionally missed the second, sounding the buzzer.
What they said
Anthony has been embroiled in trade rumours ever since he refused to sign a contract extension with Denver. The Knicks have been reportedly trying to add him to their roster but Anthony
said there was no trade talk going on during the game.
"No, not at all. They're trying to win, we're trying to win," he said. "They competed hard tonight. They fought back. But nobody, no, there wasn't none of that going on out there. Of course
not."
And Denver coach George Karl said his star player has been handling the situation with professionalism.
"Melo has been very professional, the most professional I've ever seen him, more serious than I've seen him and he's playing at an All-Star level. We kind of read off of him and he seems
to be into the team and wants to win."
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