Carmelo Anthony: "We are playing to lose"

Carmelo Anthony has claimed that the New York Knicks are "playing to lose" as their poor form continued with a defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.

The Knicks have lost nine games in a row, while the seven successive defeats at home is a new franchise record.

"I think we're playing to lose rather than playing to win right now," the 29-year-old told reporters.

"When you lose games the way we've been losing them at home, on the road, you start thinking a lot.

"You start playing a little tense. You start playing on your heels."

The Knicks face rivals Brooklyn Nets in their next game on Thursday night.