NBA: Anthony can’t stop Knicks’ slide

New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, left, competes for the ball with Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton, center, and John Henson, right, during the NBA basketball game between Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks at the O2 Arena in London, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015. AP

LONDON, United Kingdom – Carmelo Anthony was powerless to prevent the New York Knicks extending their franchise-losing record streak to 16 matches as they were thrashed 95-79 by the Milwaukee Bucks in London on Thursday.

Anthony, who had missed the Knicks’ previous six matches with a knee injury, led his team with 25 points but couldn’t make up for the deficiencies of a side who have lost 26 of their last 27 NBA games.

In what is now the NBA’s annual showpiece match in London, the Knicks weren’t much of an advert for basketball and missed their first 10 shots.

OJ Mayo scored 22 points for Milwaukee while Brandon Knight contributed 20 points and six steals.

It all made for a long night for the Knicks and Anthony, whose previous London visits included being a member of the United States team who won Olympic basketball gold in 2012 and featuring in the Knicks’ victory over the Detroit Pistons in January 2013.

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