The New York Knicks topped the New Jersey Nets 92-83 in the first game of the preseason at the Prudential Center in Newark thanks in part to 25 turnovers by the home team.
Renaldo Balkman led the Knicks with a game-high 20 points, Carmelo Anthony had 17 while Amar'e Stoudemire added 10 points and six rebounds in the first of the two preseason games these two teams will play before the NBA season kicks off on Christmas. Tyson Chandler did a little bit of everything in his New York debut, scoring four points, grabbing four rebounds, three steals and swatting two shots.
Brook Lopez and Anthony Morrow each scored 15 points for the Nets in defeat. Lopez also had game-high 11 rebounds and five blocks. Deron Williams finished with nine points, six assists and six of those 25 turnovers.
It should come as a surprise to no one that both teams were rusty from the beginning. The Nets shot an ugly 2-for-14 from beyond the arc while the Knicks hit on just 41 percent from the field.
These two teams will meet again on Tuesday to wrap up the preseason at Madison Square Garden at 7pm.