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 After he helped the Knicks dismantle the Brooklyn Nets in a 113-83
win Thursday night, he might hear a few of those laughs muffled.
"That's society, that's just life," Anthony said after the Knicks
ended a nine-game losing streak, their losing skid in nearly seven
years. "We've been losing; guys have been laughing at us. We won
tonight, that's all that matters."
Leading a balanced scoring attack, Anthony recorded 19 points and 10
rebounds despite sitting out a majority of the fourth quarter. Four
other Knicks scored in double figures.
"Everybody had that look like we're tired of losing," Anthony said.
"It showed from the tip-off ... overall we played a great game."
Known as a team that lives and dies by the 3-pointer, New York
(4-13) shot 15-for-25 from long range. Guard Iman Shumpert made
himself comfortable outside, scoring 15 of his 17 points on 5-of-7
shooting from beyond the arc.
"I don't know what we've been missing, but it came out tonight so
I'm happy," Shumpert said. "We just have to play every game like
it's our last."
With seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Knicks led
58-50. By quarter's end, an offensive surge put New York up 84-59 as
the Nets' woes continued. Brooklyn (5-14) was outscored 63-40 in the
second half.
"You've got to have a short memory in this league, that's part of
it," said Nets guard Joe Johnson, who scored 13 points. "Obviously
we're in a tough rut right now, and the only people that can get us
out of it are the people in this locker room."
Ball movement was crucial for the Knicks. Reversing its recent
pattern, New York utilized a quick pace and the extra pass to carve
apart the Nets.
"We finally put up 48 (minutes) of basketball together," Knicks
coach Mike Woodson said. "I thought tonight, across the board,
everybody was tremendous. Everybody that played gave something when
they were on the floor."
While the score line grew more lopsided, a newly divided city saw
the rivalry grow. Knicks center Andrea Bargnani, who scored 17
points, was ejected after his second technical just moments after
New York forward Amar'e Stoudemire's second technical was rescinded.
In the middle of it all was Nets forward Kevin Garnett, who was one
of five players assessed technicals on the night.
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"(Garnett and I) were just talking, but it's OK," Bargnani said.
"The most important thing is that we won the game and played great.
I don't want to talk about the referees."
Anthony on the other hand, beamed with pride at his new teammate's
grit.
"He knows that we have his back," Anthony said. "It was good that he
stood up for himself. He'll get a pat on his back. ... He was the
sacrificial lamb tonight, but it might have been worth it."
The Nets did everything they could to exploit their size advantage.
Center Brook Lopez abused Bargnani down low, scoring 24 points and
grabbing a team-high nine rebounds while leading a Nets effort that
produced 38 points in the paint.
"I think we are up with the bigs in the pick-and-roll," Nets coach
Jason Kidd said. "We're trying to take care of the ball. With
practice time, with injuries, we're not whole, so we are trying to
do it through walk-through. But we'll get better."
With two struggling defenses facing off, good looks were plenty, but
the Knicks began the game hot. Bargnani, the subject of criticism
since his move to New York, started out 4-of-4 for nine points,
stretching a physical Nets team outside.
"We were always looking for that next pass, and that was the most
important thing," Bargnani said. "We finally put together a full
game."
The Nets did not to go down low effectively enough to start, and
they shot 6-for-14 in the first quarter. The Knicks' defensive
pressure was doing a good job harrying Brooklyn into rushed
possessions and turnovers.
"The 3-ball was falling and the ball was moving and the defense was
clicking," Woodson said. "That's how we have to play."
NOTES: The Knicks endured a nine-game slide for the first time since
March 19-April 4, 2006. That season, the team went 23-59. ... New
York F Carmelo Anthony began the night ranked second in the league
in scoring, averaging 26.3 points per game. Only Oklahoma City
Thunder F Kevin Durant (28.5 ppg) had a better average. Anthony led
the league in minutes played with 40.4 per game. ... Knicks G J.R.
Smith played 25 minutes despite soreness in his surgically repaired
left knee. He scored eight points. ... Nets C Brook Lopez ranked
fourth in the league in blocks through Wednesday, averaging 2.27 per
game. He blocked one shot against the Knicks.
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