Rockets-Knicks Preview

By BRIAN MAHONEY
Posted Dec 17 2012 1:06AM

NEW YORK (AP) Jeremy Lin was barely hanging on to an NBA job when he stepped on the floor at Madison Square Garden last February.

He returns Monday having proven he's a legitimate starter and sometimes star, capable of energizing a franchise and a fan base, a player who saved his team's season and was rewarded with a lucrative contract.

Linsanity was short but spectacular, and even the New York Knicks' locker room is filled with Lin admirers.

Yet on the court, his old team hasn't missed him at all.

"What he did was amazing. I mean, I was watching every game. He was hitting game-winners, he was doing all that. He was amazing," point guard Raymond Felton said. "But it's time to move on. We're 18-5, whatever the record is, we're 10-0 at home, so no need to talk about that no more."

Lin makes his lone New York appearance with the Houston Rockets, who threw big dollars at Lin in July and were maybe just as surprised as so many others when the Knicks let them have him. They could have kept Lin simply by matching the Rockets' offer, which was widely considered to be a foregone conclusion, and the big-market Knicks certainly could have afforded him.

Instead, they traded for Felton, and signed Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni, and nobody can argue now. The Knicks are the best in the league in taking care of the ball - a Lin weakness even during his highest point - and they have the best record in the Eastern Conference with Felton and Kidd starting together in a two-point guard backcourt.

"I'm not taking anything away from what we had last year, those guys gave us all they had, but to win at a big level in this league you've got to have good point guard play. I think Jason Kidd and Raymond and Pablo have filled that void that we were somewhat missing last year," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said.

The Knicks were going nowhere without anyone to run former coach Mike D'Antoni's offense and just days from needing to cut Lin or guarantee his salary for the remainder of the season when D'Antoni turned to him in a Feb. 4 game against the Nets. Lin scored 25 points, was promoted to the starting lineup two nights later, and the phenomenon known as Linsanity was born.

The undrafted player from Harvard had been cut three times already and was so uncertain of his NBA future that he had slept on teammate Landry Fields' couch the night before his breakout because he had refused to get his own place with an unguaranteed contract.

And he became an immediate hit with fans around the world.

The first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent made a massive impact for the Knicks at the box office and merchandise stands, not to mention what he did for them in the standings.

A season's worth of highlights were packed into just a few weeks: the double-double in a national TV rout of defending champion Dallas; the 38 points to outduel Kobe Bryant in a victory over the Lakers; the 3-pointer in the final second to win a game at Toronto. He became a media sensation, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated in consecutive weeks, and brought the Knicks more positive attention than they had received in ages.

Lin was quoted on the Rockets' website after their loss to Toronto on Sunday as saying he was looking forward to getting his return over with and getting some closure, and was asked what he anticipated.

"That's one of those things where I'm not going to try to guess what's going to happen because I have no idea," Lin said. "Once the game starts I know I'm going to be focused on basketball. If I were to be realistic, there will probably be some nostalgia and reminiscing and thankful for those times because those were some great times, but at the same time it's the next chapter."

D'Antoni was booed when he returned Thursday with the Lakers, but the Knicks think Lin has earned and will receive a huge welcome back.

"I think that he touched a lot of people who are going to be in the stands," said Steve Novak, one of Lin's best friends on the team. "There's going to be some people come to see Jeremy, there's no doubt about it, because he did have an incredible run and touched a lot of their lives, and a lot of little kids got Lin jerseys and stuff like that. So I think it was tough when he left for all those people that have those jerseys and stuff, but they remember how much fun it was when he was here."

It wasn't long. Lin ended up needing knee surgery in March that ended his season after just 25 starts. Woodson had insisted Lin would be back, even after Lin and the Rockets had agreed to a contract that was worth about $28 million over four years. The terms were then amended to about $25 million over three years, the final year worth nearly $15 million but would cost the Knicks more than twice that in luxury tax payments under the harsher penalties in the new collective bargaining agreement.

So they let him go, and so far Lin has had some solid moments, but few that indicate he could turn into a $25 million player. He did match his career high with 38 points in a recent loss to San Antonio and helped the Rockets rout the Knicks in Houston last month, but was averaging about 11 for the season while shooting under 40 percent from the field. He has been replaced by backup Toney Douglas, another former Knick, in the closing minutes of some close games.

That's far below the 24.6 points and 9.2 assists he averaged in those first 10 games from Feb. 4-20, when he was the biggest story in basketball. That's what the Knicks expect fans to remember on Monday night.

"He did an excellent job of bringing a lot of cheer. He brought a lot of great vibes to the city and just the arena in general. I had a fun time playing with him," center Tyson Chandler said. "So I don't know what his reception is, but whatever it is he's on the other side now, so he has to pay for that."

---

Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Lin leads Rockets' rout in return to New York

By BRIAN MAHONEY
Posted Dec 17 2012 11:38PM

NEW YORK (AP) His old fans booed him. His old friend clobbered him.

Otherwise, it was Linsanity all over again at Madison Square Garden.

Jeremy Lin had 22 points and eight assists in his return to New York, leading the Houston Rockets to a 109-96 victory Monday night that ended the Knicks' 10-game home winning streak to open the season.

Cheered then jeered, and later floored by Tyson Chandler's flagrant foul, Lin added another masterpiece to the ones he put together last season during the height of his memorable run. No longer the fan favorite he was when wearing the home uniform, Lin got a mixed reception when he left the game with 2:25 remaining and the Rockets leading by 16.

"It was a lot of fun playing out there and I think our team, we took a step in the right direction," Lin said. "And for me, it was great to be back and it was a lot of fun to play on that court again."

James Harden had 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who blew out the Knicks for the second time this season. They have won the last seven meetings, including a 131-103 rout in Houston on Nov. 23.

Rookie Chris Copeland scored a career-high 29 points for the Knicks, who played without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony and had their four-game winning streak snapped. They fell to 18-6, matching the record they finished last season with under Mike Woodson.

Woodson's team decided not to match Houston's contract offer to Lin, and nobody could argue when Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni led the Knicks to the best record in the Eastern Conference with a team that led the NBA in fewest turnovers.

But Lin was the best point guard on the floor, just as he so often was during his dazzling run last winter, when the NBA's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent went from undrafted benchwarmer to the biggest story in basketball.

"He had a good game, without a doubt," Felton said. "I never talked junk about Jeremy Lin. Anything I said about Jeremy, I felt like he deserved anything. He deserved everything he got. He had a good game. Plain and simple."

Felton scored 14 points but shot 7 of 18. Kidd was 2 for 9, and both committed three turnovers.

The Rockets outscored the Knicks 54-29 over the middle two quarters, denying New York its first 11-0 start at home since the 1991-92 season.

The Knicks trailed by just five midway through the third quarter before the Rockets blew it open with a 15-0 run, with Lin either scoring or assisting on five of their six baskets.

His layup opened the run, and he then found Marcus Morris for a layup and a 3-pointer for a 67-55 Houston lead. Lin assisted on the second of Harden's consecutive 3-pointers, then had a steal and layup that gave Houston a 75-55 cushion.

Lin saw some fans wearing his old jersey, but said he didn't let his mind drift back to last season during the game.

"I've moved on, they've moved on," he said. "We have good memories, but at the same time we're all in a different place now."

Lin doubled his scoring average in what he called an up-and-down season so far.

"I hope this is the start of a nice run for him, because he works really hard," Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. "He's a great kid. He deserves it."

Anthony decided Monday to give his sprained left ankle a second straight game to recover. The Knicks did get good injury news when Amare Stoudemire, out all season after left knee surgery, was cleared to practice. He will work out with Erie, the Knicks' NBA Development League affiliate, when it works out at the Knicks' training facility on Tuesday.

The Rockets snapped a seven-game road losing streak, their longest since an eight-game skid in 2001-02.

A sellout crowd that included swimsuit model Kate Upton - who was on one fewer Sports Illustrated covers than Lin last February - gave the Harvard graduate a loud ovation during the introduction of starting lineups. The cheers quickly turned to jeers once the game started, particularly when he made a basket. There were boos when Chandler knocked him to the ground with a shot to the head that resulted in a flagrant foul.

Chandler felt it was a clean, hard foul that didn't warrant a flagrant. He and Lin hugged after the game.

"He had a good game," Chandler said. "He had a good game the other night. He's a good player. He's going to have some nights, but I thought we could have took away a lot of his easy baskets, him and James Harden."

J.R. Smith came off the bench to make all five shots and give the Knicks a 31-29 after one. The Rockets scored the first 10 of the second quarter, opening a 39-31 lead on Lin's 3-pointer with 9:26 left in the half. Houston scored the final six of the half, turning an eight-point lead into a 56-42 cushion.

NOTES: Stoudemire is working out with the D-League team because the Knicks are not expected to do much running at practice Tuesday. They haven't held a formal practice since Dec. 4. "It seems strange but we have a stretch right now where we're playing every other day and it's hard to play a game and then think you can come in and drill these guys," Woodson said. "I like to practice, that's where I feel like you learn a lot and stay sharp in terms of your defensive rotations, but I can't run them in practice and expect them to come back and play the next day and then practice again. There's just too many games coming at us right now."

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Notebook: Rockets 109, Knicks 96

Adam Zagoria, for NBA.com
Posted Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:44 PM - Updated Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:44 PM

THE FACTS: In his first appearance at Madison Square Garden since signing with the Rockets during the summer, Jeremy Lin went for 22 points and eight assists and James Harden added 28 points and 10 rebounds as the Houston Rockets handed the Knicks their first home loss of the season, 109-96.

Playing without Carmelo Anthony (sprained ankle) and Rasheed Wallace (sore left foot), the Knicks (18-6) had their four-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 10-1 at home.

Houston (12-12) improved to 8-1 at the Garden since, 2003-04, the best road record against the Knicks in that span. The Rockets have now beaten the Knicks twice this season by a combined 41 points.

Lin reached the 20-point plateau for just the third time in 24 games since leaving the Knicks. He led his team to victory by repeatedly driving to the basket, where at one point in the second quarter he was elbowed in the face by Tyson Chandler, who was whistled for a flagrant foul. Boos reigned down on Lin as he shot the foul shots, making 1-of-2. Fans cheered when he missed.

Rookie Chris Copeland scored a career-high 29 points for the Knicks and J.R. Smith added 17.

QUOTABLE: "We're just thankful to get the win. It was a lot of fun playing out there and I think our team, we took a step in the right direction. It was great to be back and it was a lot of fun to play on that court again."
-- Lin

THE STAT: The Rockets shot 19-of-24 from the line, while the Knicks went 9-for-16.

TURNING POINT: After the Knicks came back to seize 31-29 first-quarter lead, the Rockets outscored the Knicks, 27-11, in the second to take a 56-42 halftime lead. Lin (eight points) and Harden (seven) combined for 15 points in the period. Both had 16 points at the break. The Rockets then outscored the Knicks 27-18 in the third to stretch the lead to 80-63.

QUOTABLE II: "We didn't play well again. It's just that simple. They played great and we played awful."
-- Knicks coach Mike Woodson

WHO'S HOT: Harden and Lin combined for 50 points on 18-for-33 shooting.

WHO'S NOT: Raymond Felton, whom the Knicks signed before opting not to re-sign Lin, shot 7-of-18 from the field for 14 points and had trouble defending Lin.

QUOTABLE III: "He hit me hard, I still kept coming, though. It was fun, it was fun, it was friendly. It wasn't malicious. He was like a big brother to me last year."
-- Lin on Chandler's flagrant foul.

NOTABLE: The Knicks were 8-15 before Lin took over the point -guard duties, but during "Linsanity" he led the team to seven straight wins and 16 victories in the next 25 games. "I don't think anybody from the Rockets organization is expecting me to recreate anything, and I'm not either," Lin said pregame. He added: "Anytime you have a stretch like that you'll remember it forever."

NOTABLE II: The Knicks are in the midst of a six-game homestand and Woodson wants to continue to stretch their lead in the Atlantic Division. They hope to have Anthony back Wednesday against Brooklyn. "This is a nice stretch for us and you gotta take advantage of it as a team," Woodson said. "We're trying to separate from the pack and we're in a good position because we do have home games and we've been pretty awesome here at home so we just gotta continue that."

NOTABLE III: Amar'e Stoudemire has been cleared to practice and will practice with the Knicks' D-League team, the Erie Bayhawks, Tuesday and Thursday in New York. Stoudemire could potentially make his season debut Friday or Sunday after missing the season with a knee procedure. "I just want to make sure he gets out of the practice not hurting," Woodson said. "I want to make sure that his knee is sound and that he's ready to go."

QUOTABLE IV: "[Lin] did what he had to to by making his decision and we've done what we had to do and we wish him nothing but the best until he plays the Knicks. And that's it."
-- Woodson

INSIDE THE ARENA: Kate Upton, 50 Cent and John McEnroe sat courtside.

UP NEXT: For the Knicks, Wednesday vs. Brooklyn, Friday vs. Chicago, Sunday vs. Minnesota. For the Rockets, Wednesday vs. Philadelphia, Saturday vs. Memphis, Dec. 25 at Chicago.

• Rockets: Machado, Motiejunas, White
• Knicks: Shumpert, Stoudemire

• Rockets: --
• Knicks: --

• Lead Changes: 5
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
• Officials: #10 Ron Garretson, #11 Derrick Collins, #72 JT Orr
• Attendance: 19033
• Duration: 2:07

Houston Rockets (13-12)		New York Knicks (18-7)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Chandler vs Asik (Felton gains possession)
	11:39 [NYK 2-0]	Felton Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Lin Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Parsons (1 AST)	11:26 [HOU 2-2]
	11:03	Felton Jump Shot: Missed
Asik Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:02
Harden Jump Shot: Missed	10:53
	10:52	Brewer Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:43	Chandler Layup Shot: Missed
	10:41	Chandler Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	10:41	Chandler Tip Shot: Missed
	10:39	Chandler Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	10:38 [NYK 4-2]	Chandler Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Harden Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:19 [HOU 4-4]
	09:59	Kidd Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Harden (1 ST)
Harden Jump Shot: Missed	09:52
Harden Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	09:51
Parsons 3pt Shot: Missed	09:45
	09:44	Chandler Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	09:22 [NYK 7-4]	Kidd 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Felton (1 AST)
Lin Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	09:12 [HOU 6-7]
	08:57	Kidd 3pt Shot: Missed
Parsons Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:56
Harden Driving Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Parsons (2 AST)	08:52 [HOU 8-7]
	08:34	Copeland Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Asik (1 BLK)
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:32
Parsons Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Lin (1 AST)	08:28 [HOU 10-7]
	08:06 [NYK 9-10]	Felton Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Asik Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Lin (2 AST)	07:48 [HOU 12-9]
	07:31	Felton Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Parsons (1 ST)
	07:28	Kidd Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Morris Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	07:28
Team Rebound	07:28
Morris Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)	07:28 [HOU 13-9]
	07:13 [NYK 11-13]	Brewer Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Kidd (1 AST)
Parsons Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Lin (3 AST)	07:08 [HOU 15-11]
	06:52	Brewer Jump Shot: Missed
Harden Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	06:51
	06:45	Copeland Substitution replaced by Smith
Harden 3pt Shot: Missed	06:33
	06:32	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Parsons Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	06:17
	06:17	Brewer Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	06:17	Team Rebound
	06:17	Brewer Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Lin Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:16
	06:11	Brewer Violation:Defensive Goaltending
Lin Driving Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	06:11 [HOU 17-11]
	05:50 [NYK 13-17]	Kidd Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Brewer (1 AST)
Morris 3pt Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Harden (1 AST)	05:27 [HOU 20-13]
	05:07	Felton Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Parsons (2 ST)
Asik Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Lin (4 AST)	05:00 [HOU 22-13]
	04:47 [NYK 15-22]	Smith Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
	04:39	Smith Foul: Personal Block (1 PF)
	04:39	Team Timeout : Regular
Asik Substitution replaced by Smith	04:39
	04:39	Kidd Substitution replaced by Novak
Lin 3pt Shot: Missed	04:21
	04:20	Chandler Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	04:05 [NYK 18-22]	Smith 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Felton (2 AST)
Lin Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	03:52 [HOU 24-18]
	03:41 [NYK 20-24]	Felton Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Morris Jump Shot: Missed	03:16
	03:15	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Harden Foul: Personal (1 PF)	03:11
Morris Substitution replaced by Delfino	03:11
	03:05	Felton 3pt Shot: Missed
Harden Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	03:04
Parsons Driving Layup Shot: Missed	02:53
	02:52	Chandler Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	02:37 [NYK 23-24]	Smith 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Felton (3 AST)
Lin Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Brewer (1 ST)	02:23
	02:17 [NYK 25-24]	Smith Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)
	02:12	Novak Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:12
Lin Substitution replaced by Douglas	02:12
	02:12	Brewer Substitution replaced by White
Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	02:12 [HOU 25-25]
Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	02:12 [HOU 26-25]
	01:48 [NYK 27-26]	Felton Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Douglas Fadeaway Jump Shot: Missed	01:29
Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	01:27
Smith Tip Shot: Missed	01:27
	01:25	Chandler Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	01:10 [NYK 29-26]	Smith Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Harden Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Douglas (1 AST)	00:52.6 [HOU 28-29]
	00:52.6	Smith Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)
	00:52.6	Smith Substitution replaced by Kidd
Harden Free Throw 1 of 1 (9 PTS)	00:52.6 [HOU 29-29]
	00:41.9 [NYK 31-29]	Felton Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Kidd (2 AST)
Smith Turnover : 3 Second Violation (1 TO)	00:32.8
	00:23.9	Felton Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Harden (2 ST)
Douglas Foul: Offensive (1 PF)	00:20.2
Douglas Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	00:20.2
	00:02.2	Kidd 3pt Shot: Missed
Delfino Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:00.4
End of 1st Quarter
Houston Rockets (13-12)		New York Knicks (18-7)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Delfino Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	11:41 [HOU 31-31]
	11:27	Novak 3pt Shot: Missed
Douglas Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:26
Morris Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (1 TO)	11:20
	11:08	Kidd Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Smith (1 BLK)
Delfino Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	11:07
Douglas Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:55 [HOU 33-31]
	10:40	Prigioni 3pt Shot: Missed
Delfino Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	10:39
Douglas 3pt Shot: Missed	10:21
	10:20	Prigioni Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Smith Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	10:02
	10:02	Thomas Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	10:02	Team Rebound
	10:02	Thomas Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:01
Douglas Floating Jump shot: Made (4 PTS)	09:49 [HOU 35-31]
	09:49	Kidd Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)
Douglas Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)	09:49 [HOU 36-31]
	09:36	Prigioni 3pt Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	09:35
Lin 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS)	09:26 [HOU 39-31]
	09:13	White Running Layup Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:12
Lin 3pt Shot: Missed	08:59
	08:58	Kidd Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:51	Thomas Jump Shot: Missed
Douglas Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	08:50
Morris Jump Shot: Missed	08:42
	08:41	Thomas Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:28 [NYK 34-39]	Prigioni 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Lin Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO)	08:18
	08:18
	08:18	Thomas Substitution replaced by Copeland
Morris Substitution replaced by Harden	08:18
	07:58	Copeland 3pt Shot: Missed
Harden Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	07:57
	07:51	White Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	07:51
Team Rebound	07:51
	07:51	White Substitution replaced by Chandler
Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)	07:51 [HOU 40-34]
	07:42	Novak 3pt Shot: Missed
Douglas Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	07:41
Smith Layup Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Harden (2 AST)	07:27 [HOU 42-34]
Lin Foul: Personal (1 PF)	07:20
Smith Substitution replaced by Asik	07:20
	07:20	Prigioni Substitution replaced by Felton
	07:07	Felton Jump Shot: Missed
Delfino Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	07:06
	06:59	Chandler Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	06:59 [HOU 43-34]
	06:59	Copeland Substitution replaced by Brewer
	06:59	Novak Substitution replaced by Smith
Douglas Substitution replaced by Parsons	06:59
Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	06:59
	06:58	Kidd Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:53	Brewer Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Parsons (3 ST)
Harden Driving Layup Shot: Missed	06:40
	06:39	Chandler Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
	06:31	Smith Jump Shot: Missed
	06:30	Brewer Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	06:18	Brewer Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Delfino 3pt Shot: Missed	06:05
Lin Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	06:04
Lin Floating Jump shot: Made (13 PTS)	05:54 [HOU 45-34]
	05:45	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:45	Brewer Substitution replaced by Novak
	05:32	Felton Driving Layup Shot: Missed
	05:30	Chandler Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)
	05:30 [NYK 36-45]	Chandler Putback Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Asik Foul: Offensive (1 PF)	05:16
Asik Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	05:16
	05:04	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
Parsons Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:03
Harden Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)	04:51 [HOU 47-36]
	04:38 [NYK 38-47]	Smith Driving Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)
Parsons Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Kidd (1 ST)	04:24
Delfino Foul: Personal (1 PF)	04:13
	04:07	Chandler Layup Shot: Missed
	04:06	Chandler Rebound (Off:4 Def:5)
Asik Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	04:05
	04:05	Chandler Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	04:05	Team Rebound
	04:05 [NYK 39-47]	Chandler Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
Lin Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Kidd (2 ST)	03:55
	03:46	Smith Layup Shot: Missed Block: Asik (2 BLK)
Harden Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	03:44
	03:39	Chandler Foul: Flagrant Type 1 (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Lin Free Throw Flagrant 1 of 2 Missed	03:39
Team Rebound	03:39
Lin Free Throw Flagrant 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	03:39 [HOU 48-39]
	03:39	Kidd Substitution replaced by White
Asik Hook Shot: Missed	03:24
	03:22	Chandler Rebound (Off:4 Def:6)
	03:17	Felton Jump Shot: Missed
Delfino Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	03:15
Delfino Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	03:00
	02:52 [NYK 41-48]	Smith Driving Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS)
Lin 3pt Shot: Missed	02:29
	02:28	White Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	02:19	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
	02:18	Felton Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	02:15	Chandler Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Lin (1 ST)
Harden Driving Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Lin (5 AST)	02:08 [HOU 50-41]
	01:55	Novak 3pt Shot: Missed
	01:54	Team Rebound
Team Timeout : Regular	01:54
Asik Substitution replaced by Smith	01:54
Delfino Substitution replaced by Douglas	01:54
Harden Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	01:50
	01:50 [NYK 42-50]	Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)
	01:50	Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
	01:49	Novak Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	01:41	Smith Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	01:39
	01:39	Smith Foul: Loose Ball (3 PF) (2 FTA)
	01:39	Smith Substitution replaced by Kidd
Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (15 PTS)	01:39 [HOU 51-42]
Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (16 PTS)	01:39 [HOU 52-42]
	01:23	White Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Smith (1 ST)
	01:10	Chandler Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Lin Free Throw 1 of 2 (15 PTS)	01:10 [HOU 53-42]
	01:10	Chandler Substitution replaced by Thomas
Lin Free Throw 2 of 2 (16 PTS)	01:10 [HOU 54-42]
	00:53.9	Kidd Jump Shot: Missed
Parsons Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:52.9
Parsons 3pt Shot: Missed	00:31.9
	00:30.5	Kidd Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	00:13.9	Kidd Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Douglas (1 ST)
Douglas Driving Layup Shot: Missed	00:10.2
Smith Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	00:08.5
Smith Reverse Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS)	00:05.6 [HOU 56-42]
	00:00.6	Felton 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 2nd Quarter
Houston Rockets (13-12)		New York Knicks (18-7)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Parsons 3pt Shot: Missed	11:41
	11:40	Felton Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	11:27 [NYK 44-56]	Felton Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Chandler (1 AST)
Harden 3pt Shot: Missed	11:16
	11:15	Kidd Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	11:06	Kidd 3pt Shot: Missed
Parsons Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	11:05
Lin Foul: Offensive Charge (2 PF)	10:59
Lin Turnover : Foul (4 TO)	10:59
	10:47	Felton Jump Shot: Missed
Harden Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	10:46
Harden Jump Shot: Missed	10:30
	10:29	Copeland Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:20	Copeland Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Asik (1 ST)
Parsons Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Copeland (1 ST)	10:14
	09:56 [NYK 46-56]	Chandler Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Felton (4 AST)
	09:46	Kidd Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Harden Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)	09:46 [HOU 57-46]
Harden Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)	09:46 [HOU 58-46]
	09:27 [NYK 49-58]	Copeland 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Kidd (3 AST)
Parsons Driving Layup Shot: Missed	09:07
	09:06	Brewer Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	08:50 [NYK 51-58]	Copeland Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS)
	08:28	Brewer Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Asik Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	08:28 [HOU 59-51]
Asik Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	08:28 [HOU 60-51]
	08:15	Copeland 3pt Shot: Missed
Parsons Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	08:14
Asik Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)	08:06
	07:48 [NYK 53-60]	Copeland Driving Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Morris 3pt Shot: Missed	07:29
	07:28	Chandler Rebound (Off:4 Def:7)
	07:18	Kidd 3pt Shot: Missed
	07:17	Chandler Rebound (Off:5 Def:7)
	07:06	Brewer 3pt Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:05
Lin 3pt Shot: Missed	06:57
	06:56	Brewer Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	06:39	Felton 3pt Shot: Missed
	06:38	Chandler Rebound (Off:6 Def:7)
	06:18 [NYK 55-60]	Copeland Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS)
	06:08	Brewer Violation:Defensive Goaltending
Lin Driving Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS)	06:08 [HOU 62-55]
	06:02	Felton Layup Shot: Missed Block: Asik (3 BLK)
Lin Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	06:00
Morris Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Lin (6 AST)	05:56 [HOU 64-55]
	05:49	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:49	Brewer Substitution replaced by Smith
	05:49	Kidd Substitution replaced by Novak
	05:39	Smith Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Parsons (4 ST)
Morris 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Lin (7 AST)	05:16 [HOU 67-55]
	04:57	Novak 3pt Shot: Missed
Asik Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	04:56
Harden 3pt Shot: Made (21 PTS)	04:40 [HOU 70-55]
	04:28	Smith Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Asik (2 ST)
Harden 3pt Shot: Made (24 PTS) Assist: Lin (8 AST)	04:22 [HOU 73-55]
	04:21	Team Timeout : Regular
	04:21	Smith Substitution replaced by Kidd
	04:13	Kidd Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Lin (2 ST)
Lin Driving Layup Shot: Made (20 PTS)	04:09 [HOU 75-55]
	03:52	Felton 3pt Shot: Missed
Harden Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	03:51
Harden 3pt Shot: Missed	03:40
	03:39	Chandler Rebound (Off:6 Def:8)
	03:32	Chandler Foul: Offensive Charge (4 PF)
	03:32	Chandler Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Morris Substitution replaced by Delfino	03:32
Asik Substitution replaced by Smith	03:32
Lin Fadeaway Jump Shot: Missed	03:17
	03:15	Copeland Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	03:03	Copeland Jump Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	03:02
Delfino 3pt Shot: Missed	02:51
	02:50	Felton Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
Harden Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	02:42
	02:42	Chandler Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	02:42	Team Rebound
	02:42 [NYK 56-75]	Chandler Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Lin 3pt Shot: Missed	02:28
	02:27	Chandler Rebound (Off:6 Def:9)
	02:16 [NYK 58-75]	Felton Floating Jump shot: Made (14 PTS)
Smith Layup Shot: Missed	02:09
Smith Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	02:07
Smith Tip Shot: Made (7 PTS)	02:07 [HOU 77-58]
	01:46	Felton Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	01:44
Delfino 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Lin (9 AST)	01:39 [HOU 80-58]
	01:10 [NYK 60-80]	Copeland Driving Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS)
	00:50.2	Copeland Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)	00:50.2 [HOU 81-60]
	00:50.2	Felton Substitution replaced by White
Lin Substitution replaced by Douglas	00:50.2
Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	00:50.2
	00:49.9	Chandler Rebound (Off:6 Def:10)
	00:39.3	Kidd Jump Shot: Missed
Harden Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	00:38.2
Harden Driving Layup Shot: Made (26 PTS)	00:29.1 [HOU 83-60]
	00:10.0	White Driving Layup Shot: Missed
	00:08.5	Chandler Rebound (Off:7 Def:10)
	00:08.5	Chandler Tip Shot: Missed
Harden Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)	00:06.4
Douglas Jump Shot: Missed	00:00.2
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 3rd Quarter
Houston Rockets (13-12)		New York Knicks (18-7)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:47 [NYK 63-83]	Novak 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Prigioni (1 AST)
Parsons Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)	11:28
	11:13 [NYK 65-83]	White Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Delfino 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Parsons (3 AST)	10:57 [HOU 86-65]
	10:29	Prigioni Jump Shot: Missed
	10:27	Prigioni Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	10:10	White Jump Shot: Missed
Douglas Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	10:09
	10:03	Copeland Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Morris Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	10:03 [HOU 87-65]
	10:03	Chandler Substitution replaced by Smith
Morris Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)	10:03 [HOU 88-65]
Morris Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	09:50
	09:50 [NYK 66-88]	Copeland Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)
	09:50 [NYK 67-88]	Copeland Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)
	09:44	Novak Foul: Personal (2 PF)
Delfino 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Douglas (2 AST)	09:35 [HOU 91-67]
	09:20	Copeland Jump Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	09:19
Parsons 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS)	09:10 [HOU 94-67]
	09:09	Team Timeout : Short
	08:51 [NYK 69-94]	Copeland Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Prigioni (2 AST)
Delfino 3pt Shot: Missed	08:37
	08:36	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	08:28 [NYK 71-94]	Copeland Driving Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS)
Smith Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)	08:28
	08:28
Parsons Substitution replaced by Harden	08:28
Smith Substitution replaced by Lin	08:28
	08:28 [NYK 72-94]	Copeland Free Throw 1 of 1 (18 PTS)
Harden Jump Shot: Missed	08:07
	08:06	White Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:49	Copeland Turnover : 3 Second Violation (2 TO)
Douglas 3pt Shot: Missed	07:34
	07:33	Copeland Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	07:25	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
Lin Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	07:24
Delfino Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Novak (1 ST)	07:07
	07:00	Copeland Layup Shot: Missed
	06:59	Copeland Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	06:58	Copeland Layup Shot: Missed
	06:57	Copeland Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	06:55	Copeland Layup Shot: Missed
Harden Rebound (Off:1 Def:9)	06:53
Harden Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Copeland (2 ST)	06:44
	06:40 [NYK 74-94]	Prigioni Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Morris Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Prigioni (1 ST)	06:25
	06:20 [NYK 76-94]	Prigioni Driving Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	06:14
Morris Substitution replaced by Asik	06:14
Douglas Substitution replaced by Parsons	06:14
	06:14	Copeland Substitution replaced by Chandler
Parsons Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Harden (3 AST)	05:57 [HOU 96-76]
Lin Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	05:40
	05:40 [NYK 77-96]	Prigioni Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)
	05:40 [NYK 78-96]	Prigioni Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
Delfino Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS)	05:19 [HOU 98-78]
	05:09	Prigioni 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	05:08
Lin Driving Layup Shot: Made (22 PTS)	04:58 [HOU 100-78]
	04:40 [NYK 81-100]	Prigioni 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Novak (1 AST)
Asik Layup Shot: Missed Block: Chandler (1 BLK)	04:17
	04:16	Chandler Rebound (Off:7 Def:11)
	04:09	White Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Parsons (5 ST)
	04:08	White Foul: Personal (2 PF)
	04:08	Chandler Substitution replaced by Copeland
Harden Jump Shot: Made (28 PTS)	03:55 [HOU 102-81]
	03:37 [NYK 83-102]	Copeland Jump Hook Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Prigioni (3 AST)
Harden 3pt Shot: Missed	03:16
	03:15	White Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Delfino Foul: Personal (2 PF)	03:04
Harden Substitution replaced by Cook	03:04
	03:01 [NYK 85-102]	Copeland Driving Layup Shot: Made (22 PTS)
Asik Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (1 FTA)	03:01
	03:01 [NYK 86-102]	Copeland Free Throw 1 of 1 (23 PTS)
Asik Layup Shot: Missed	02:52
	02:51	Prigioni Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	02:47	Prigioni Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
	02:47	Team Timeout : Regular
Asik Substitution replaced by Jones	02:47
	02:47	Smith Substitution replaced by Brewer
Lin Substitution replaced by Douglas	02:25
Parsons Substitution replaced by Morris	02:25
Jones 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Copeland (1 BLK)	02:24
Team Rebound	02:23
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	02:23
	02:03 [NYK 89-102]	Copeland 3pt Shot: Made (26 PTS) Assist: Prigioni (4 AST)
Delfino 3pt Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Cook (1 AST)	01:50 [HOU 105-89]
	01:33 [NYK 92-105]	Copeland 3pt Shot: Made (29 PTS) Assist: Prigioni (5 AST)
Douglas Layup Shot: Missed	01:23
Douglas Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	01:21
Douglas Driving Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)	01:05 [HOU 107-92]
	00:59.0 [NYK 94-107]	White Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
	00:58.3	Prigioni Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Morris Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS)	00:45.6 [HOU 109-94]
	00:35.2	Prigioni 3pt Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:34.2
Douglas Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Prigioni (2 ST)	00:18.9
	00:15.9 [NYK 96-109]	Prigioni Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)
End of 4th Quarter