clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Nets Fall to Anthony and the Knicks in Closing Moments

By NetsDaily
Getty Images

The Nets said this was an important game and they backed those words up, at least on the offensive end of the floor. But that wasn't enough on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, as the Knicks outgunned the Nets, 120-116, in a barn-burner.

Behind 16 points from Brook Lopez, the Nets led by six after the first quarter. They went up by as many as 16 in the second and led by 10 at the half. The Knicks cut the lead down to one with a 13-2 run to start the third quarter and eventually took a brief lead late in the period.

The fourth quarter went back and forth and Carmelo Anthony put the Knicks up two with 1:08 left. After Brook Lopez missed a drive, Toney Douglas put New York up four with an offensive rebound and a pair of free throws. Kris Humphries got the Nets back within two with a tip-in and, after Anthony missed a jumper, the Nets had a chance to tie or take the lead. But Deron Williams missed a pull-up jumper with five seconds left and Chauncey Billups put the game away at the free throw line.

The Nets shot 48 percent and outrebounded the Knicks 51-39, but they turned the ball over 17 times and allowed New York to shoot 50 percent.

Anthony led all scorers with 39 points and Billups added 33 for the Knicks. Anthony Morrow led the Nets with a season-high 30 points, while Lopez added 26 points and nine rebounds and Williams finished with 22 points, eight boards and eight assists in his first game back from a six-game absence. Humphries had a double-double in the first half and finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds.

More From NetsDaily