Linsanity returns to the Garden
His old fans booed him. His old friend clobbered him. Otherwise, it was Linsanity all over again at Madison Square Garden.
His old fans booed him. His old friend clobbered him.
Otherwise, it was Linsanity all over again at Madison Square Garden.
Jeremy Lin collected 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 those 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 minutes, 25 seconds 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. Their four-game winning streak was snapped.
A sellout crowd that included swimsuit model Kate Upton - who was on one fewer Sports Illustrated cover 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 was a flagrant foul.
Elsewhere: Glen Davis scored 28 points and J.J. Redick had 18 points and seven assists as the Orlando Magic beat the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, 102-93. . . . Mike Conley scored 17 points, Zach Randolph added 10 points and 15 rebounds, and the host Memphis Grizzlies overcame a poor start to beat the Chicago Bulls, 80-71. . . . Jamal Crawford scored 15 points, and Chris Paul added 14 to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to their 10th consecutive win, 88-76, over the host Detroit Pistons. . . . Serge Ibaka tied his career best with 25 points and grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 107-93, for their 11th straight win.
Wall waiting to practice
Washington Wizards point guard John Wall figures there is no way he will miss the entire season.
Still, he said there's only "a 50-50 chance" his injured left knee will respond well when swelling subsides, which he hopes will happen later this week.
"I'm still waiting for my pain and swelling to go down to see what I can do on the court, but just trying to stay strong," Wall said in a rare session with reporters.
- Associated Press