Jason Szenes for The New York Times
Jeremy Lin went to the basket between Raymond Felton, left, and Tyson Chandler.
For one night this season, a new version of Linsanity was the featured event at Madison Square Garden. Jeremy Lin, wearing his red and silver Houston Rockets jersey, was cheered during pregame introductions, but there were no visible Linsanity signs in the arena — a far cry from last February, when he went from benchwarmer to global phenomenon.
When the game began, Lin was booed, and fans chanted "air ball" when a 3-point attempt missed badly, but he settled down and was not overwhelmed by the moment. He often drove aggressively to the basket and regained his shooting touch, scoring 22 points and adding 8 assists to help the Rockets to an emphatic 109-96 victory Monday night.
James Harden added 28 points as the Knicks (18-6) lost their first home game of the season after 10 consecutive victories and their four-game winning streak came to an end. Under Coach Mike Woodson, the Knicks are 20-2 in the regular season at the Garden.
Carmelo Anthony, who missed eight games while Lin became the centerpiece of the team last season, sat out his second straight because of a sprained left ankle. He did not sit on the bench, and his status for Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Garden is questionable.
After the Knicks cut the Rockets' lead to 60-55, Houston went on a 15-0 run. During the run, Houston (12-12) made three consecutive 3-pointers, including two by Harden, to take a 20-point lead. Lin assisted on five of the Rockets' six baskets and made a steal and layup.
From there, the Rockets were never threatened.
Without Anthony, the Knicks lacked a dominant playmaker who could score in bunches. Instead, the Knicks relied on their 3-point shooting, which has been a key ingredient in their holding the best record in the Eastern Conference. But the Knicks hit an anemic 9 of 31 shots from behind the arc.
In Anthony's absence, the rookie Chris Copeland had a breakout performance, leading the Knicks with 29 points and 5 rebounds. He was 11 of 19 from the floor, including 3 of 5 on 3-pointers.
The Rockets' victory was similar to their win over the Knicks in November. In the first meeting between the teams, the Rockets scored 131 points by penetrating the basket with ease.
The Knicks had trouble guarding Lin and Harden again, which left many Rockets open for 3-pointers. Unlike the Knicks, the Rockets shot 51 percent from the floor.
With 2 minutes 25 seconds remaining in the game, Lin headed toward the bench, his night done.
Afterward, he embraced Steve Novak and Tyson Chandler, who was hit with a flagrant foul after hitting Lin in the head with his right elbow.
REBOUNDS
Amar'e Stoudemire was cleared by the Knicks' medical staff Monday to start practicing Tuesday. The Knicks are not scheduled to practice Tuesday, but Stoudemire will be on the court with the Erie BayHawks, the Knicks' Development League team, at the training facility in Greenburgh, N.Y. Stoudemire had surgery on his left knee before the season started and has yet to play this season. Coach Mike Woodson said doesn't know when play, but hopes to have Stoudemire practice at least twice this week. "We'll evaluate him tomorrow after practice and see where he is and how we feels," Woodson said of Stoudemire. "I'm sure he's going to be sore just from being off the floor. I just want to make sure he knee is sound." ... Woodson is hopeful that Carmelo Anthony will play in Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Woodson said Anthony made the decision to not play in Monday's game. Anthony did receive treatment on his left ankle during the team's shootaround. "He couldn't go," Woodson said. "We'll evaluate him again tomorrow and see where he is." Monday was the fourth game Anthony has missed this season. The Knicks are 2-2 without him.
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