(Photo Courtesy of AP Photo/ Bill Kostroun)
It wasn’t long ago the Knicks seemed like they had turned it around. Then they followed up their five game winning streak with a five game losing streak. Then they lost forwards Amar’e Stoudemire, Kenyon Martin, and Andrea Bargnani due to injuries. New York came into Friday night hoping to end that losing streak against the Bobcats at the Garden. These same Bobcats that beat the Knicks twice already this season.
Friday night the Knicks did just that in blow out fashion. Carmelo Anthony had himself a career night to say the least. Melo scored 62 points connecting on 23 of 35 from the field on the night. That made for a 65.7 field goal percentage, as he was also ten for ten from the free throw line. Melo added 13 rebounds to complete the double double. Anthony hit on 6 of his 11 three-pointers he attempted. Going into the half, Anthony had tallied 37 points after hitting on a three-point buzzer beater to end the first half. After a 19 point third quarter, Anthony had 56 points going into the fourth.
The fans knew by half time they were in for a special night from the Knicks star. The second half was filled with chants of “Melo” and “MVP.” The fatigue showed by the end of the third quarter and coach Mike Woodson did pull Melo out of the game after scoring the record-breaking basket early in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t long after that the crowd started chanting, “We want Melo.” Anthony probably could have surpassed 70 points but sat out the last 7:24 of the game to rest up for Sunday.
Anthony broke Bernard Kings record of 60 points scored in a game when he put in his final two points in the fourth quarter. King was Carmelo’s favorite player as he grew up and Melo described passing his 60-point record as “A special moment.” Of his record being broken, Bernard King said “If anyone was to break my Knicks record that I have held for so long, I’m absolutely delighted that it was Carmelo.” As if that wasn’t enough Anthony also broke the record for points in a single game at MSG. That record was 61, which was set five years ago by Kobe Bryant.
It was a game that the Knicks needed so desperately. Their star scored 62 of New York’s 125 points. Compared to Anthony’s point total, the rest of the team scored 63 points. But it wasn’t just Anthony, although he was on fire, the Knicks had a good game all around; feeding off Carmelo’s energy. The Garden crowd also needed a game like this. The fans energy was at a season high as they went crazy every time Anthony touched the ball.
The Bobcats were without Kemba Walker, who had previous success scoring against the Knicks in their previous two meetings this year. Al Jefferson would lead the Bobcats with 25 points and 9 rebounds.
The Knicks got contributions from Raymond Felton and JR Smith. Smith had 14 points on 5 of 9 shooting as Felton added 11 of his own. Jeremy Tyler was also impressive in his 22 minutes of action. Tyler may be counted on during this stretch where the Knicks will be short at forward because of the injuries to Stoudemire, Martin, and Bargnani.
After the final buzzer, Carmelo said at the end of his interview, “This one is over with, we got one Sunday.” Sunday the Knicks will play the Lakers at 3:30 at Madison Square Garden, where they will hope to feed off the energy Friday night and get a winning streak together to turn this season around.
PureSportsNY: Tyler Henry