Walker, Bobcats rally, spoil Knicks' return to MSG

[October 26, 2013]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Kemba Walker scored 18 points and made the tiebreaking basket with 1:31 remaining as the Charlotte Bobcats spoiled the New York Knicks' return to Madison Square Garden with an 85-83 preseason victory Friday night.

Walker finished with nine rebounds and six assists as the Bobcats wrapped up a 5-3 preseason. Josh McRoberts had 19 points and Bismack Biyombo grabbed 20 rebounds.

With old faces on the floor and a new look to the arena, the Knicks were on the way to a completely successful night until they went ice cold in the second half and blew a 19-point lead.

Carmelo Anthony scored 13 points but shot 4 of 17, missing a potential tying jumper in the final seconds.

J.R. Smith and Amare Stoudemire both made their preseason debuts after working their way back from knee surgeries. Smith scored 11 points and Stoudemire had six points on 3-of-4 shooting, both reserves playing limited minutes.

The Knicks had a 19-point lead in the first half but then missed 18 of 22 shots in the third quarter. They regained the lead on Anthony's jumper with 2:26 remaining before Walker made consecutive high-arching jumpers in the lane, the second making it 85-83 with 1:31 to play.

It was the Knicks' lone home game on the final night of the NBA's preseason schedule. Madison Square Garden reopened Thursday after completion of its $1 billion renovation that spanned the last three offseasons, featuring a giant new videoboard, two overhead bridges with views of the court and an expanded entrance from Seventh Ave.

The Knicks played six road games while the work was completed. They open their season here Wednesday against Milwaukee.

Second-year forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist missed the game for Charlotte after straining his right hamstring Thursday against Cleveland.

[Associated Press; By BRIAN MAHONEY]

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