NBA -- Rockets destroy reeling Knicks
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 Nov 2012
CHICAGO -- What defense?
The New York Knicks, who stormed off the gates with an 8-1 record built on their NBA-leading defense, got hammered Friday night at the Toyota Center in Houston and lost in embarrassing fashion, 131-103.
The Rockets came out swinging, scoring 35 points in the opening quarter before erecting a 72-57 lead at the halftime break. Houston pounded New York some more in the third quarter and stretched the lead to 104-80. It was smooth sailing for the Rockets the rest of the way as the Knicks got no closer than 105-84 with still 11:03 left in regulation.
The Rockets held the Knicks at bay by hitting 46 of 89 field goals (51.7 percent) and 14 of 25 threes (56 percent). Besides sinking 24 of 28 free throws, the Rockets badly outrebounded New York, 49-30.
New York had no answer to Houston's dynamic duo of James Harden and Chandler Parsons who scattered 33 and 31 points respectively. Center Omer Asik had 18 points and 14 rebounds while Jeremy Lin, whose Linsanity fame rose during his stint as a Knicks guard last February, chipped in 13 points and seven assists. Lin shot 6-for-12 from the field with seven rebounds and four turnovers.
Carmelo Anthony was a one-man army for New York, scoring 37 points on 14-of-21 shooting. But with only Raymond Felton (17) and J.R. Smith (12) scoring in double figures, the Knicks didn't have enough offense to silence the Rockets.
With their second loss in as many games, the Knicks slipped to 8-3 and relinquished the best record in the Eastern Conference to the Miami Heat, winners of three straight who currently log a 9-3 record. At 9-2, the Memphis Grizzlies hold the best record in the NBA overall. (Homer D. Sayson)
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