Lou Williams scores 21 points, Raptors beat cold-shooting Knicks 81-76

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Lou Williams scored 21 points and the Toronto Raptors beat New York 81-76 on Monday night in the Knicks’ preseason home opener.

With starting point guard Kyle Lowry sitting this one out, Williams came off the bench and shot 6 of 9 from the field in 24 minutes. Toronto acquired him in June from Atlanta.

Carmelo Anthony scored nine points on 4-of-6 shooting in 15 minutes for the Knicks, who had just one player in double figures. J.R. Smith had 10 on 4-of-12 shooting.

Toronto centre Jonas Valanciunas also got the night off, and former Raptors No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani of the Knicks sat out with a strained right hamstring. Coach Derek Fisher said it was possible Bargnani could play Tuesday in Syracuse against Philadelphia, though the medical staff might prefer he gets a little more rest.

The Knicks opened an 8-0 lead but were horrendous offensively from there as they work to implement the triangle offence that Fisher played in Los Angeles under Phil Jackson. They managed just four more points in the first quarter and shot 3 of 23 (13 per cent) from 3-point range.