It’s been a long season for Knicks fans, but last night gave them a chance to stay Melo.
A focused and determined Carmelo Anthony was feeling it last night as he set the Madison Square Garden record with 62 points in the New York Knicks 125-96 home victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.
Anthony not only beat his previous career high of 50 points, which he achieved on three separate occassions, but also passed up a couple of legends that had amazing performances at the Mecca. The previous Knicks franchise-record was set by Knicks legend Bernard King with 60 points against the Nets on December 25, 1984. The Madison Square Garden record was set by a relentless Kobe Bryant as he dropped 61 on the Knicks on February 2, 2009.
We knew it was going to be a special night after Anthony wowed the MSG crowd with 20 points in the first quarter. He continued the dominant performance by dropping 37 at the half, capped off by a half-court buzzer beater that sent the Garden crowd into an uproar.
Anthony and his teammates knew history was on the line as he continued his big night in the second half despite double teams by the Bobcats. He knocked down three after three, eventually going to the basket and drawing some fouls on the Bobcats to go to the line and stop the clock.
His final shot came in true Melo fashion. Anthony caught the ball in the post and the Bobcats sent an immediate double team his way. He took a quick spin baseline away from the trap and banked a jumper that bounced in from about 10 feet, giving him the record-setting 62 points.
.@carmeloanthony: “It was just one of those zones you go into. Only a certain group of people know what that zone feels like.” #Melo62
— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) January 25, 2014
We all wanted to see Anthony go for 70 or 80, but Knicks coach Mike Woodson thought the Knicks record was enough and took Anthony out for the night (come on Mike!). Anthony came out of the game with about 7 minutes to go, finishing with 62 points on 23-35 FG, including 6-11 from 3. He also pulled in 13 rebounds in the legendary performance and checked out of the game to a standing ovation and “Melo, Melo,” chants throughout the Garden.
NBA fans have been a bit spoiled this month, as two of its biggest superstars have gone for ridiculous scoring performances. Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder previously held the season high in points after dropping 54 on the Golden State Warriors on January 17. Does this mean LeBron James will go for his own special night to cap off this amazing month of January?
C’mon Mike Woodson keep @carmeloanthony in. I wanna see 70-75! Well actually I can’t see cause I’m at an event but I’ll see the highlights!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 25, 2014
“It still feels surreal to me — no better feeling than having that feeling tonight on this home court,’’ Anthony tells the New York Post. “The fans, I haven’t heard them like that since last year. It was good to get that feeling back.’’
We hear you Melo. Congrats on the historic night! Now lets hope Anthony and the Knicks can use this special night as momentum to get back on the right track.
-Patrick Hazel (@pattywack25)
