Carmelo Anthony's 62-point performance Friday night will live on for decades in driveways, in empty gyms, on playgrounds, but most importantly in Madison Square Garden. It was the most points anyone has ever scored in a Knicks jersey and it's the most points anyone has ever scored in the legendary Garden.
NBA scores 2014: Carmelo Anthony goes off, Chandler Parsons breaks 3s record
There was a lot happening Friday night in the NBA, but Carmelo Anthony’s 62 points is the centerpiece.
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
The Knicks demolished the Bobcats 125-96 and Anthony was pulled with over seven minutes left after breaking the record.
There will be critics because there will always be critics and Anthony’s zero assists will likely seep them out the proverbial Internet gutter, but one should also understand that Melo didn’t turn the ball over once and he collected 13 rebounds. There are great performances and then there are legendary performances and Anthony’s performance falls in the latter category.
Memphis Grizzlies 88, Houston Rockets 87
Memphis won this game and it did by playing exceptional defense, but the story here is what Chandler Parsons did in the second half. The University of Florida alum dropped in 10 three-pointers in the final 24 minutes, breaking an NBA record for threes in a half and breaking Houston's record for three-pointers in a game.
This is shot chart. It is a green pasture perfect for grazing cows.
New Orleans Pelicans 103, Detroit Pistons 101
Detroit went on a 30-4 run in the third quarter, taking a 16-point lead, but couldn’t close out the Pistons. Because Eric Gordon did this:
Rather than calling a timeout and getting the ball at half court, the Pistons inbounded the ball and chucked up a half court shot because they are the Pistons.
Kevin Martin drained a two-pointer from the baseline with eight seconds left to give the Timberwolves a one-point lead. This was Golden State's next possession:
not gonna get a much better look than this from Barnes. https://t.co/TtFHtft6pP
— Tyler Lashbrook (@lashy) January 25, 2014 Warriors fans would likely rather have Stephen Curry take the final shot, but that's a really good look for a last shot. This one has to feel good for the Timberwolves who finally pulled out a close game late.
Brooklyn Nets 107, Dallas Mavericks 106
Speaking of incredible performances, Mirza Teletovic scored 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting, netting an astounding 24 of those points in the second period. Despite a close final score, the Nets led midway through the second quarter and never trailed the rest of the way.
Orlando Magic 114, Los Angeles Lakers 105
Tobias Harris put together the best performance of his second season in Orlando, finishing with 28 points, 20 rebounds and four assists. Arron Afflalo notched 23 and Jameer Nelson added 22. The Lakers didn't play bad on offense, but giving up 114 points and 53 percent shooting from long range to the abysmal Magic offense is not good.
Toronto Raptors 104, Philadelphia 76ers 95
The Raptors Train continues to chug along with Kyle Lowry registering his fourth career triple-double (18 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds) and DeMar DeRozan scoring 34 points. Michael Carter-Williams recorded 20 points and five assists and Spencer Hawes added 14 points and 12 rebounds, but the Sixers continued their march towards this summer's draft.
San Antonio Spurs 105, Atlanta Hawks 79
Boris Diaw and Patty Mills combined for 39 points on 14-of-20 shooting off the bench and the Spurs ran past Atlanta rather easily. The Injured Hawks were already without DeMarre Carroll, Pero Antic and Al Horford and then Jeff Teague sprained his ankle in the second quarter and didn't return. How should Atlanta fill the empty roster spots? Tryouts!
Uh oh...Jeff limping back to the locker room. We might be holding open tryouts soon.
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 25, 2014 Every team’s Twitter squad should take notes from the Hawks. They are fantastic.
Oklahoma City Thunder 101, Boston Celtics 83
Kevin Durant did not play. Russell Westbrook is still out. And it didn't even matter. The Thunder still won by 18 points on the road, led by Serge Ibaka's 21 points and Jeremy Lamb's 19 off the bench. Showing up was optional for the Celtics, who, as a team, shot 5-of-27 (18.5 percent) from behind the arc.
Eight Cavaliers scored between seven and 16 points as Cleveland handled the outmatched Bucks. Milwaukee is a fountain of sad, sputtering around lifelessly through the NBA season.
Los Angeles Clippers 112, Chicago Bulls 95
Blake Griffin led the way for the Clippers with 26 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists and Jamal Crawford chipped in 19 off the bench. The Bulls had won three in a row before taking the loss. The Clippers are now 8-3 without Chris Paul, which seems really good.
Washington Wizards 101, Phoenix Suns 95
Washington got 90 (!) points from its starting five, but just 11 from its bench. In the end, however, it did not matter as the Wizards forced Phoenix into 21 turnovers and outrebounded the Suns by 10 on the offensive glass. Goran Dragic led the Suns with 19 points and 11 assists.
Indiana Pacers 116, Sacramento Kings 111
The Pacers were down four with under 20 seconds left and Paul George answered with a four-point play. He sunk the three and netted the free throw and the Kings were unable to convert on the other end, sending it to overtime. This was the “foul” call.
Ouch. The Pacers went on to win in overtime. That’s a tough way to lose, if you’re the Kings. Credit them, though, for hanging tough even without DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay.
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