Knicks shut down Anthony in 2nd half, beat Thunder sans Porzingis
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony (7) holds off New York Knicks forward Doug McDermott (20) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec.16, 2017, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony got the cheers but the New York Knicks got the win, shutting out their former All-Star in the second half and beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-96 on Saturday night for their fourth straight victory.
Michael Beasley tied his season high with 30 points in place of injured Kristaps Porzingis, and Doug McDermott, one of the players acquired for Anthony, added 11 of his 13 after halftime to help the Knicks break open the game.
Anthony scored 12 points in the first half but was 0 for 5 after, perhaps low on energy after the Thunder’s three-overtime victory at Philadelphia a night earlier.
He made a 3-pointer for the Thunder’s first basket of the game after a warm welcome back to the arena where he spent 6 1/2 years, finishing 5 of 18 from the field.
Russell Westbrook had 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Thunder, who were trying to sweep a three-game trip that began with Paul George’s winning return to Indiana on Wednesday.
But they couldn’t deliver a victory for Anthony back at Madison Square Garden, even with the Knicks playing without leading scorer Porzingis because of a knee injury.
Anthony received a pair of loud cheers during pregame introductions, before and at the end of a video tribute showing his highlights on the court and his charitable efforts off it that was played after the first four Thunder starters were announced. But the boos became more noticeable once play got underway, and soon they were coming every time he touched the ball.
Later, the cheers for all for the Knicks, who after trading their leading scorer on the eve of training camp are a surprising 16-13 — better than Anthony’s new team (14-15). Anthony was booed one last time as he was removed with 1.4 seconds remaining.
Beasley had a hand in 12 of the Knicks’ final 15 points of the third quarter, scoring nine himself and assisting on Ron Baker’s 3-pointer. That turned a two-point lead into an 80-73 advantage over the final 3 ½ minutes of the period.
The Knicks pushed it into double digits in the fourth between five straight points from McDermott — originally it was six by a 3-pointer was changed to a 2 after review — and he later made it 100-87 with a 3-pointer with 6:02 remaining.
The Thunder played without starting center Steven Adams because of a concussion.
TIP-INS
Thunder: George finished with 18 points. … The Thunder were trying to have a winning record for the first time since they were 4-3 after a victory in Milwaukee on Halloween. … Oklahoma City beat New York 105-84 at home in the season opener for both teams.
Knicks: The Knicks won for the first time in five games this season without Porzingis, who worked out before the game with team doctors before he was ruled out. The Knicks said Friday his status was day to day. … Courtney Lee scored 20 points.
UP NEXT
Thunder: Host Denver on Monday night.
Knicks: At Charlotte on Monday night.
