Carmelo Anthony was unable to take the floor at Madison Square Garden last night when the Knicks took on the Oklahoma City Thunder, but reserve guard J.R. Smith was more than capable of replacing Anthony's scoring.
Smith played 36 minutes off the bench and hit 14 of his 29 shots, including 6-of-13 from the 3-point line en route to scoring 36 points in a heartbreaking 95-94 loss. Smith had the ball in his hands with seconds left and opted for a turnaround jump shot that clanged off the rim instead of trying to get to the hoop. After the game Smith told reporters "My jumper was pretty much good all night except for the fourth quarter and just didn't go in." Despite big totals, Smith was just 2-of-9 in the final period.
Russell Westbrook lit the Knicks up in the first quarter, scoring 15 points and turning a 14-7 deficit into a 23-15 lead early on. He struggled in the ensuing three quarters, but his teammates filled in the gaps nicely. Kevin Durant, a three-time NBA scoring champion, scored 34 points on 9-of-20 shooting while hitting 14 of 15 free throws. Kevin Martin also pitched in 16 points in 32 minutes off the bench, hitting three of his five 3-pointers. Serge Ibaka was a force in the low post, scoring 12 points, grabbing nine rebounds and swatting five shots.
Anthony missed his second consecutive game after leaving Monday's win over the Cleveland Cavaliers following a non-contact fall at mid-court. Coach Mike Woodson said he doesn't believe Anthony's knee injury is serious and told the media that his star forward is day-to-day.
The Thunder's visit to Madison Square Garden was their first in over two years, thanks to last season's lockout wiping that game off Oklahoma City's itinerary. Guard Ronnie Brewer, who was acquired at the trade deadline, did not play in the game.
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