NBA…..Rockets defeat Knicks despite Anthony’s 45 points

(The Sports Xchange) ——James Harden returned from a one-game absence because of a foot injury and poured in 36 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 109-106 win over the New York Knicks.

Jeremy Lin scored 21 points in his second game back at Madison Square Garden since his “Linsanity” days two seasons ago with the Knicks.

The win was the 16th in 17 games for the Rockets against the Knicks, who have dropped three straight at home.

Carmelo Anthony scored a season-high 45 points for the Knicks (3-5) and Andrea Bargnani had 24.

Houston center Dwight Howard was held to seven points, his lowest output of the season. He did, however, contribute 15 rebounds and four blocked shots to help the Rockets (5-5) get to .500.

– – –

Warriors 116, Thunder 115

Small forward Andre Iguodala beat the buzzer with a 20-foot fadeaway from the right corner as the Golden State Warriors survived an Oklahoma City rally to defeat the Thunder 116-115.

After point guard Russell Westbrook drilled a 29-foot three-pointer with 2.3 seconds remaining to give the Thunder their only lead of the fourth quarter, Iguodala took an inbounds pass from Klay Thompson and immediately rose over defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha for the game-winner.

The victory was the fourth in a row at home for the Warriors (6-3).

Thompson, hitting six of the Warriors’ 14 three-pointers, led Golden State with 27 points. Guard Stephen Curry had 22 points to go with nine assists and David Lee contributed 20 points.

Westbrook paced the Thunder (5-3) with 31 points.