Carmelo Anthony had an incredible performance in Game 2 of the New York Knicks' battle against the Boston Celtics, erasing a sour taste from a poor series opener and generally wowing the greater NBA viewing community. It was actually his third 40-point playoff performance, proving that nothing that happens in Denver actually matters to most of the country, unfortunately.
Celtics Vs. Knicks, Game 3: Carmelo Anthony Carries New York Into Battle With Boston Up 2-0
In Game 2, 'Melo carried an otherwise destitute Knicks squad missing Chauncey Billups and, for much of the night, Amar'e Stoudemire. So rough was Anthony's supporting cast that Bill Walker shot 11 times, and missed them all! So rough was Anthony's supporting cast that Jared Jeffries figured in New York's final two offensive possessions ... on purpose. So rough was Anthony's supporting cast that it was the fourth quarter before any other Knick reached double-digits. It was some real 2007 Kobe Bryant stuff.
With Stoudemire and Billups expected back for Game 3, the question is whether Anthony will be able to make as serious an impact. It’s a two-edged blade. The star additions should help relieve pressure on ‘Melo; by the end of the game, the Celtics had three defenders on him when he had the ball, and two more keeping their eyes on him. But by diffusing the offense, don’t you also pre-empt the sort of unstoppable explosion ‘Melo brought to the Garden? If Anthony’s only touching the ball every third possession, will he get on the sort of roll required to have an electric Bernard King-like performance?
To me, that’s a better problem to have than Bill Walker’s 0-11. Game 3 of Celtics vs. Knicks tips off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. For more on the Celtics, check out CelticsBlog. For more on the Knicks, visit Posting And Toasting.
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