It was brilliant defense on Sunday night. It was brilliant offense last night by the Knicks’ two stars.
Tearing up the Jazz and performing at as high a level offensively as they’ve played all season, the Knicks came back to Madison Square Garden and drilled Utah 131-109.
A night after beating the Hawks in Atlanta, the Knicks shot 56 percent from the floor, sank 13 of 26 from 3-point range, built up a 31-point lead, and scored their most points this season.
Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony — the ‘Melo and ‘Mar’e Show — were simply magnificent.
Anthony, shrugging off Sunday’s eye poke that gave him a migraine and limited him to 6-for-18 shooting, put up a game-high 34 points on 12-for-16 from the field. He shot 4-of-5 from 3-point range in his highest scoring game with the Knicks.
Stoudemire scored 31, sinking 12 of 15 shots from the field.
It’s the first time Anthony and Stoudemire have eclipsed the 30-point mark together, and the second time the Knicks have had two 30-point scorers this season. On Nov. 20 in L.A. against the Clippers, Stoudemire scored 39 and Danilo Gallinari had 31.
“If we can rebound and play defense, we’ll have nights when they’re unstoppable,” Mike D’Antoni said afterward about his dynamic duo.
Stoudemire said, “I think it’s coming together. Offensively is not a problem for us. We can score with ease. I think defensively is where it’s starting to come together.”
Last Friday against the Cavaliers, the ‘Melo and ‘Mar’e Show actually put up a higher point total, combining for 70 (Stoudemire had 41 and Anthony had 29). But the Knicks lost that game.
And neither player was as brilliant that night as he was against the Jazz.
Toney Douglas ,was nearly as effective as his star teammates. Starting again for injured Chauncey Billups (quad), Douglas scored 20 points on 6-for-9 shooting. He drained 5-of-7 from 3-point range.
It’s the first time since the Knicks made the trade for Anthony and Billups on Feb. 22 that they’ve won two in a row. For the first seven games post-deal, the Knicks were 4-3, alternating results each time.
But thanks to their defensive effort on Sunday — they held the Hawks to 79 points — and last night’s performance, the Knicks (33-29) go into Memphis tomorrow on a two-game winning streak.
Before the game, D’Antoni said Anthony was feeling fine, but admitted “He still says he has a little bit of a headache.” Anthony then went out and sank his first five shots, his jumper good from all over. In the first quarter, he drained a 19-footer, a 25-foot 3-pointer, and an 11-foot floater off a post-up.
Anthony and Stoudemire also connected multiple times, a sign Anthony may be getting comfortable with the offense and the two stars with each other.
A scorching first quarter put the Knicks in commanding position for good. Anthony (13 points, 5-for-6 shooting), Douglas (12 points, 4-for-5) and Stoudemire (nine points, 4-for-5) were blistering from the field.
The Knicks led 40-24 at the end of one quarter. By halftime, the Knicks were up 66-48, shooting 56 percent overall and 62 percent (8-for-13) from 3.