Carmelo Anthony Injured in Knicks 120-114 Victory Over Celtics

It was an offensive bonanza Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden, as both the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics came out of the gates swinging.

Especially the Knicks! New York scored 36 points in the opening period. Rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis was on fire to start the game, scoring 16 of his total 26 points in the first quarter. Porzingis was unconscious shooting the ball, knocking down three triples in the opening period, including one from Latvia!

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Superstar Carmelo Anthony also reached double-figures in the first quarter, scoring a dozen points in the period. Melo was also hot from downtown as well, connecting on a couple of three-pointers in the first quarter.

New York led by as many as 14 points in the game, but the complexion of the game completely changed late in the first half as Anthony ran into a referee and turned his right ankle.

Anthony had his ankle’s taped up at halftime but lasted only 19 seconds in the second half. Melo was visibly in discomfort, and it looked like he could not push-off the injured ankle. He went back to the locker room for x-rays and did not return to the game. Luckily the x-rays came back negative.

With New York already down their superstar, minutes later Porzingis would pick up two fouls – sending the rookie to the bench. Without both Anthony and Porzingis, Arron Afflalo stepped up big; scoring 20 of his total 24 points in the second half. Afflalo completely had his turnaround fadeaway mid-range game going.

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But despite Afflalo’s best efforts, without Anthony and Porzingis on the court – the Celtics made their run. Boston tied the game up and even took a lead briefly in the fourth quarter. It was Isaiah Thomas who led the comeback, scoring 16 points and dropping 3 dimes in the third quarter. Thomas once again destroyed the Knicks, finishing the game with 34 points and 8 assists.

Although it was Jared Sullinger who was giving New York fits in the fourth quarter. Sullinger took advantage of Porzingis’s slight build and foul trouble situation, scoring a dozen points in the final period.

Although Porzingis would not go into the night quietly, throwing the Celtics a block party before he fouled out of the game.

Porzingis’ sixth foul was a costly one, not just because it forced the rookie to sit but because he fouled a three-point shooter. With Jae Crowder connecting on a three-pointer on the previous possession, Porzingis foolishly aggressively contested the shot. Crowder would knock down a couple of free-throws to give Boston a 107-106 lead with 2:44 remaining in the game.

Enter Jerian Grant.

Grant was absolutely the savior Tuesday night! In the last three minutes, Grant made all the clutch passes, clutch scores, and clutch free-throws. Clutch, clutch, clutch. Grant dished out three dimes in the final three minutes that gave the Knicks the lead back, including a spectacular lead-pass to a cherry-picking Derrick Williams on the fast break.

Grant then called “banked” to give the Knicks a 114-111 lead with 57.7 seconds left in the game, and then went on to sink four clutch free-throws. Grant’s play was really eye-opening and one has to wonder will the rookie now see more time with his improved performance. Grant finished the game with a career high 16 points, and tied his career high in assists with 8 Tuesday night.

New York prevailed in a 120-114 victory over Boston, despite Anthony getting injured and playing without Porzingis down the stretch. It was a very impressive victory without the Knicks’ two top guns.

Next: New York Knicks: Depth Analysis and Mid-Season Review

Anthony will be a game time decision for Wednesday night’s matchup with their city rival Brooklyn Nets. Hopefully it is nothing too serious, and if he needs to rest. Rest. It is only the lowly Nets… the Knicks do not need Anthony to take down Brooklyn. Let him heal up.