It was a battle all night long, but in the end, it was Carmelo Anthony who led his New York Knicks past the Charlotte Hornets at MSG.
- New York Knicks 113 (8-7)
- Charlotte Hornets 111 (8-7)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Who starred on Broadway on this particular night? None other than Carmelo Anthony.
Melo hit a left elbow turnaround with 3.1 seconds to go in overtime that propelled the Knicks to their sixth straight victory at The Garden and third overall:
Melo finished with 35 points, 14 rebounds, and five dimes on the night. His 14-for-25 from the floor is what makes his 35 points really sparkle. Melo also collected 17 in the first quarter.
Interestingly, Anthony had a shot at a game-winner at the end of regulation but saw it rim in-and-out. Many were upset about a non-pass to a baseline cutting Kristaps Porzingis on the play, but the game-winner in overtime surely made up for any criticism on the play.
Prior to Melo’s end of regulation chance, Derrick Rose it another left-wing mid-range shot off the dribble that extended a late Knicks close lead. Only a Kemba Walker three-point play on the other end ruined D-Rose’s hero moment.
KP didn’t enjoy a vintage game in this one. Struggling from the field, 6-16, Porzingis finished with just 16 and eight. He did, however, hit a big three down the stretch off a fantastic Melo pass.
He also came up with a couple of big boy blocks against Hornets bigs.
D-Rose finished with 16 and Courtney Lee added 12. For Charlotte, Walker was kept relatively quiet with just 17 points and seven field goals. Marco Belinelli paced the Hornets with 19 including 5-6 from 3-point land.
Both teams will turn around quickly and take the very same act to Charlotte for the back-end of a home-and-home. The Knicks are now 8-7, an over .500 squad.