Ballin': Knicks End 6-Game Losing Streak Despite 1-Point From 'Melo
By Jason McIntyre
Toronto 99, Phoenix 96: The eight-game losing streak is over! Andrea Bargnani returned from a calf injury and scored 36 points, including 27 of Toronto’s 51 in the second half. The Suns, who are putrid, got 21-12 from Marcin Gortat. That was his 9th double-double in a row. Steve Nash is doing for Gortat would he did for Amare, right?
New York 111, Charlotte 78: Would you have guessed the 6-game losing streak would end on a night when Carmelo Anthony scored just one point in 29 minutes? Tyson Chandler’s 20 points and 17 rebounds led the way, Amare added 18, and the Knicks played some defense (Charlotte shot 32 percent). Bobcats’ rookie point guard Kemba Walker scored 22 points but only had two assists.
Orlando 102, Indiana 83: If the 3-pointers are falling – on this night, they were: 13-of-32 – then sure, the Magic can beat anybody, anywhere. Even if they bottomed out with a franchise-low 56 points the night before in Boston. Ryan Anderson’s all-star season continued (24 points, 8 rebs). The Pacers shot just 41 percent, which you can chalk up to returning from the West Coast, or just not having enough offensive weapons. The Magic are 12-5, the Pacers 11-5.
Miami 92, Cleveland 85: Still no D Wade (ankle) for the 12-5 Heat, but Chris Bosh scored 35 points (17 of them in the fourth quarter to break open a close game) and made all 14 of his free throws. No-defense-playing rookie Kyrie Irving led the Cavs with 17. Get out of the way, Udonis!
Memphis 84, Portland 97: LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points, Marcus Camby collected 22 rebounds and not surprisingly, the Grizzlies had no legs (Gay, Conley, Allen shot 12-for-38) a night after that epic comeback against Golden State. The lone Memphis highlight, courtesy of Rudy Gay: