NEW YORK – Chris Paul had suffered long enough, waiting 20 seconds before draining his first shot as if to announce he could stand no more.
Carmelo Anthony had waited long enough to return to his native Brooklyn, having never played there other than when crossing the bridge while with the Knicks. He would not allow his return to include more discussions of what was wrong with the Rockets.
Most important, the Rockets' defense had taken long enough, and far too long, before it arrived and made all that Paul and Anthony would do enough to end the losing streak.