Anthony sits with ankle sprain

CLEVELAND — Carmelo Anthony decided it was best to rest before Christmas.

Anthony, despite participating in the morning shootaround, elected to miss Wednesday’s 9184 loss to the Cavaliers because he said he doesn’t want his sprained left ankle injury to “linger.’’ Anthony also said he felt without his normal lateral agility he wouldn’t be at full force against LeBron James.

The Knicks play three games in four nights starting with backtoback games Saturday in Atlanta and in Boston on Sunday. Anthony, who plans to return against the Hawks, sprained his ankle in the Orlando loss Monday, getting entangled with center Robin Lopez.

“I was able to do everything, run straight, but pushing off is the issue,’’ Anthony said. “Everything else is fine. But going lateral is kind of difficult.”

In the new NBA, it’s not uncommon to rest an injury and concede a game — instead of trying to play through it — for the greater good. Anthony, coming off knee surgery last season, missed just his second game this season — the first because of strep throat.

“I don’t think it will linger that much,’’ he said. “I felt if I went out there tonight, I wouldn’t have been myself, trying to do too much and that would’ve prolonged the situation. I’d rather take care of it right now and use the next couple of days to get rest and hopefully be ready for Atlanta.”

Asked if he was disappointed not to face James, Anthony said: “Of course I am. Usually I’d play through these knickknack injuries. I didn’t want to take a chance of it lingering, risk the fact of missing Atlanta and Boston.”

Lou Amundson and former Cleveland teammate Tristan Thompson picked up double technical fouls Wednesday. Amundson got in Thompson’s face briefly. The verbal altercation stemmed from Thompson’s remark made after the last meeting when he was upset at his bad night.

“Especially when Lou Amundson blocks your shot. Like, seriously?’’ Thompson had said at the Garden.

After the game Amundson confirmed it.

“I let him know I didn’t really appreciate that,’’ Amundson said.

With Anthony and Kyle O’Quinn out, Cleanthony Early dressed and played six minutes without scoring. ... ExKnicks J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert combined for 12 points. Smith had just four points but added three steals. Shumpert had two blocks and a steal, and hounded Knicks guard Arron Afflalo into a poor night and led the Cavs with a plus15 rating.