Carmelo Anthony returns for Knicks against Heat

Carmelo Anthony's back is well enough to once again try to put the New York Knicks on it.

Anthony will return to the lineup on Sunday when the Knicks take on the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. Sidelined since midway through the team's Monday game due to back spasms, Anthony's return is earlier than expected. Following a successful shootaround session Sunday, the call was made for Anthony to suit up, barring any last-minute setbacks.

It's still possible Anthony's back tightens up on him closer to the 7:30 tip-off, but all indications are he's ready to go, even though he's still not 100 percent.

It may not be ideal to have him play through the issue, but the Knicks can ill afford to lose Anthony for any longer. After dropping both games Anthony missed, the Knicks find themselves at 4-13 and already in a three-game hole when it comes to chasing an Eastern Conference playoff berth.

The team's offense has completely collapsed when Anthony sits this season, dropping from an offensive efficiency level that would rank sixth in the league with Anthony to one that would rank dead last without him. In 15 games, Anthony is averaging 23.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists, shooting 47.8 percent from the floor and 41.1 percent from long range.