NBA Score: New York Knicks Could Not Keep Up With Houston Rockets

Derrick Rose proclaimed that the New York Knicks were a super team that was on the same level as the Golden State Warriors. The team failed to prove that based on the way that they were dominated by the Houston Rockets. The Knicks lost to the Rockets by a score of 118-99, as reported by ESPN.

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Houston Rockets Starters

Since the start of the NBA regular season, James Harden has been playing like a beast. He continued that streak against the New York Knicks. The 6-foot-5 guard had 30 points, six rebounds, and 15 assists. Those numbers are astounding for someone that is trying to learn the point guard position in a brand new offensive scheme that Mike D’Antoni implemented for the Houston Rockets.

Eric Gordon benefited tremendously from the defensive attention that was given to James Harden. The 6-foot-4 guard managed to put up 21 points by hitting four of his seven shots from the outside. Gordon also nailed five of his six attempts from the free throw line. The former New Orleans Pelicans star was brought in by the Houston Rockets to help provide support for Harden.

Ryan Anderson was signed by the Houston Rockets because they were looking for a big man that could stretch the floor. Against the New York Knicks, the 6-foot-10 forward proved that he was more than worthy of that role. Anderson nailed four of the nine shots that he took from the outside. That was good enough to help the Rockets with 16 points. To make things even better, Anderson also produced nine rebounds.

Trevor Ariza struggled with his shot, but the veteran forward was able to produce in other ways. He had eight points, three assists, and four steals. Clint Capela had eight points and six rebounds, but the starting center for the Houston Rockets did not make enough of an impact.

Houston Rockets Bench

Montrezl Harrell wanted to show Mike D’Antoni that he deserves more playing time. The 6-foot-8, 240-pound backup forward had 17 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. Numbers like that will keep him in the Houston Rockets rotation and may possibly have him steal some minutes from Ryan Anderson and Clint Capela.

Sam Dekker also had seven rebounds off the bench, but the backup forward is unlikely to make a big change in the rotation for the Rockets with that performance.

Mike D’Antoni decided to rest veteran backup center Nene Hilario.

New York Knicks Starters

Carmelo Anthony tried to take the lead for the Knicks, but he was only able to produce 21 points and eight rebounds. The 6-foot-8 forward shot well from the field, but he struggled from the outside and turned over the ball five times.

The New York Knicks starting back court had a decent night against the Houston Rockets. Derrick Rose and Courtney Lee combined for 32 points. However, that was enough to cover the numbers produced by the Rockets.

Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah struggled mightily. They took a combined six shots from the field and missed all of them. Porzingis had eight rebounds, but that was not nearly enough for the Knicks.

New York Knicks Bench

Brandon Jennings tried hard to contribute for the Knicks, and he managed 12 points off the bench. Much of that was because the veteran guard was able to get to the free throw line eight times. However, he did not exactly get on fire with his pedestrian shooting percentage from the field.

Justin Holiday attempted to provide a spark off the bench by shooting 10 times in a span of 18 minutes. The backup guard was only able to produce eight points, which was not nearly enough for what the New York Knicks needed.

[Featured Image by Scott Halleran/Getty Images]