CLEVELAND — Off Broadway, New York’s new hoops show was no hit.
Carmelo Anthony missed a key late free throw and fouled out of his first road game with the Knicks, who may have taken Cleveland too lightly and were beaten 115-109 on Friday night by the fired-up Cavaliers.
Anthony, acquired earlier this week from Denver in a blockbuster trade, finished with 27 points but missed a foul shot with 25 seconds left that would have brought New York within two. Amare Stoudemire had 31 points and Chauncey Billups, the other guy in the Anthony deal, scored 20 of his 26 in the fourth trying to rally the Knicks.
Antawn Jamison scored 28, J.J. Hickson 24 and Ramon Sessions 22 for the Cavs, who have beaten New York twice this season.