Knicks' plan may mean no back-to-backs for Carmelo Anthony

The precautionary rest plan for Carmelo Anthony has already cost the New York Knicks their three-game winning streak, and it could preclude them from sweeping any back-to-backs the rest of the season.

Anthony sat out the team's Saturday loss to the Charlotte Hornets, one that came a day after he played 42 minutes in the team's season-high third consecutive victory. With Anthony dealing with persistent left knee soreness that may ultimately require him to be shut down for the season and undergo surgery, it's unlikely Anthony will be tasked with playing the second night of such back-to-back scenarios.

"I think it's more a precaution," head coach Derek Fisher said Saturday. "He had two weeks for the knee to calm down. He's only had a week back. With a back-to-back and three games in four nights and another three games in four nights upcoming, it's more precautionary."

The real precautionary move would be shutting Anthony down entirely in a lost season, which would also help the team bottom out for a high pick, but Anthony is said to want to play in the Feb. 15 All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have nine games before then, only two of which come the day after a prior game.

In 34 games, Anthony is averaging 24.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists, and the gap between Anthony and the available replacements on the roster is substantial. The Knicks are not only 8.3 points per-100 possessions better when he plays but they're yet to win a single game he's missed, going a cool 0-11.