Carmelo Anthony’s 17 Points Lead Knicks Over Bauru in First Preseason Game

In a WTF! moment, the NBA internet is a buzz with news of New York Knicks’ head coach Derek Fisher being attacked by Matt Barnes this past weekend, for dating Barne’s ex-wife Gloria Govan. As per Marc Berman of the New York Post, Barnes flipped out when he found out his ex-wife was with Fisher.

"But when Barnes learned that Fisher was at his former home with Gloria, he drove 95 miles to LA to “beat the s–t” out of Fisher, sources said."

95 miles! Enough said… While not as sensational as this Fisher/Barnes scandal, on the court, there was news too. Brazil’s head coach believes Bauru can upset New York, as per Marc Berman of The New York Post.

"“I think we can compete at an NBA level,”“We definitely can match the Knicks. It’s a great challenge and they’re [a] more physical team, but we have an experienced team and our style of play is more aggressive in offense than European teams. We play more creative than Europe.’’"

Bauru hung in tough early with the Knicks but New York defeated Bauru 100-81 on Wednesday night’s preseason opener.

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Carmelo Anthony got off to a hot start, converting 4/5 to start the game. Unfortunately, it looks like New York is just as dismal as last season defending three-pointers. The first five field goals Brazil converted on came from beyond the arc, keeping them in the game 16-15 mid-way through the opening quarter. Last season New York allowed a league-worst 38% opponent three-point field goal percentage, per NBA.com. Brazil knocked down six three-pointers in the first quarter, taking a 25-24 lead entering the second quarter.

The 20 years-old Latvian, Kristaps Porzingis struggled early on in his first game at Madison Square Garden. Porzingis poorly spaced the floor on offense and went 0-2 in first quarter. Porzingis looked nervous, as he fumbled a pass from Anthony early on and would throw a poor pass, leading to a turnover shortly after. Fisher kept him in the game, hoping Porzingis would work out his jitters but to no avail.

The Knicks’ bench went on a 11-2 to start the second quarter, giving New York a 35-27 with 8:59 remaining in the second quarter. Brazilian center Hettsheimeir Rafael knocked down his second three-pointer of the game to stop the bleeding, but New York would go on another run. Langston Galloway capped off a 9-1 run with a three-pointer of his own to give the Knicks a 44-31 lead with 5:26 remaining in the first half. The Knicks entered halftime with a 60-44 advantage behind a thrilling half-court shot by Cleanthony Early.

New York came out to a slow start after halftime, with the only one field goal (a Sasha Vujacic put-back) being converted in the first four minutes of play. Bauru was able to trim the deficit to 11 points during the Knicks’ drought, 53-64 with 8:06 left in the third quarter. New York would answer with a 8-2 run, a three-pointer from Porzingis and Jose Calderon essentially put the game away as Bauru never really threatened again with the score 74-57 with 5:09 remaining in the third quarter.

Anthony was in mid-season form, going a very efficient 8/10 in twenty minutes of play, scoring 17 points to lead New York over Bauru. Porzingis had his ups and downs during his first preseason game but at least showed his range, knocking down two three-pointers. Kyle O’Quinn beasted it up off the bench, finishing the game 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.

New York will actually take on a NBA team as preseason action continue Friday night against the Washington Wizards.

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