Anthony's 28 points help Knicks hang on late against Hornets
Carmelo Anthony scored his 20,000th career point and 27 others on Sunday night, helping the New York Knicks hang on for a 96-93 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
The dominant offensive performance was needed down to every last basket, with the Hornets threatening consistently late in the game. A controversial five-second inbound violation against the Hornets and Anthony pouring in nine of the team's final 13 points were just enough, and the Knicks suddenly find themselves at 2-1.
The games haven't necessarily been pretty, and the Knicks still don't appear to be running an offense resembling the triangle-based scheme head coach Derek Fisher wants to employ, but it got the job done on Sunday.
Anthony had his best game of the young season, shooting 12-of-22 from the floor for his 28 points. While he didn't move the ball much, a first-quarter injury to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist left Anthony with a significant advantage on offense more often than not, advantages he's more than willing to exploit.
Basically, Anthony took whatever opportunity afforded him, working his way close to the basket - though not particularly close to the rim - and relying heavily on post-up moves to create breathing room for his turnaround jumper. Those are shots Anthony will happily take, especially if he's being checked by a smaller player he can bully for space.
(Courtesy: ESPN)
Credit the Hornets for hanging so well after Kidd-Gilchrist's injury and for putting themselves within a late Kemba Walker miss of tying the game. The Hornets' defense wasn't as great as the baseline they've established over the last year, and spacing remains a major issue that is preventing Al Jefferson from having room to operate in the post, but they had themselves in a position to win on the road, after a key injury.
That won't keep the lights on, necessarily, but the Hornets are 1-2 after three one-possession games and probably couldn't have executed worse. If they can find a groove on offense and Lance Stephenson can become comfortable in his new home - that hasn't at all been the case yet - the Hornets may find themselves popping up the standings like, well, like this: