NBA scores 2017: The Knicks rained on Carmelo Anthony’s parade, and the Rockets just won’t lose

Carmelo Anthony came back to Madison Square Garden for the first time as an opponent since leaving New York on Saturday, and his homecoming was met by a smattering of boos and cheers, followed by a 111-96 loss to a Knicks team that moved the ball without both Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr.

Melo struggled. He got off to a hot start, but would not score after halftime. He shot just 5-of-18 from the field for 12 points. It was the second game of a back-to-back — right after Friday’s triple-overtime win over Joel Embiid’s 76ers — and Oklahoma City had nothing left in the tank.

Michael Beasley stole the show with a season-high 30-point barrage on 11-of-18 shooting, and New York’s offense was the real highlight of the night.

The Knicks finished with a modest 21 assists, only three more than OKC’s 18, but the difference in play style between the two teams was palpable. The Thunder leaned heavily on their three stars to produce. Russell Westbrook had 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting, but Anthony and Paul George combined for just 30 points on 11-of-32 shooting.

New York, meanwhile, shot 55 percent as a team and 61 percent from three. They moved the ball selflessly, feverishly, and found the open man time after time — on Oklahoma City’s league-best defense at that.

The Thunder were tired. Sure, that’s an excuse if you’re looking for one. The story is that a team with three All-Stars and possibly three Hall of Famers got outclassed by a team without its two best players.

Oklahoma City falls back below .500 (14-15) while the Knicks improve to 16-13. If something doesn’t change in OKC, well, something’s gonna change in OKC.

It was no 3OT affair, but playing in the second game of a back-to-back was no excuse for the Rockets, who protected their home floor and a 12-game winning streak with a 115-111 win over the Bucks on Saturday.

Chris Paul came up huge down the stretch, with back-to-back elbow jump shots that gave Houston just enough cushion to survive. The Rockets have rattled off 13 straight and could seriously win 21 in a row.

Game 22? Well, that’s the one we all want to see.

Jayson Tatum out here looking like Kyrie Irving

Mike Beasley pinned Melo’s layup on the backboard

Manu Ginobili hit a game-winner on the Mavericks

Russ took his anger out on the rim

Right after LaMarcus Aldridge hit an impossible shot over Dirk Nowitzki

C.J. McCollum has a nice whooping coming from his mama

LeBron James continues moving up in NBA history

And the 9-21 Suns are now 10-21 after beating the Timberwolves... without Devin Booker

Happy Saturday, folks

Trail Blazers 93, Hornets 91

Cavaliers 109, Jazz 100

Knicks 111, Thunder 96

Heat 90, Clippers 85

Rockets 115, Bucks 111

Suns 108, Timberwolves 106

Spurs 98, Mavericks 96

Celtics 102, Grizzlies 93