Carmelo Anthony hit a pair of free throws with 16 seconds remaining to break open a tie game and the New York Knicks (1-0) held on to defeat the Boston Celtics (0-1) 106–104 on o NBA opening day Sunday afternoon at the newly-renovated Madison Square Garden.
The two free throws gave Carmelo 37 points for the game—to go along with eight rebounds—and 17 points in the final quarter as the Knicks rallied from an eight-point deficit after a disastrous third quarter.
After leading nearly the entire first half—by as many as 17 points at one time—the Knicks were hit with a 22–2 Boston run to turn a 67–55 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter to a 77–69 hole with 3:55 left until the fourth quarter.
Celtics’ point guard Rajon Rondo—who the Celtics’ front office had dangled in failed trade offers for star point guard Chris Paul earlier this month—played with a vengeance, scoring eight points in the crucial 22–2 stretch and finished the game one short of his career-best in scoring with 31 points. Rondo also handed out 13 assists and recorded five steals in his 41 minutes.
The third quarter proved to be a painful one for the Knicks in a couple of ways as rookie guard Iman Shumpert injured his knee early in the quarter and had to be carried off the court. The injury—reported as a strained MCL—is expected to keep him out for two weeks.
The 6'5” Shumpert had a solid debut scoring, 11 points and grabbing four rebounds in 22 minutes as the Knicks continue to look for options at the point guard position until Baron Davis’ back heals. Newly-signed veteran point guard Mike Bibby did not play due to a back injury.
The Knicks, who were swept by the Celtics last year in their four regular season—as well as postseason—contests kept it an eight-point game heading into the final period. Boston, who was playing without the-injured Paul Pierce (bruised right heel) struggled to score points—outside of the speedy Rajon Rondo’s fast breaks—down the stretch.
Meanwhile the Knicks, who clearly miss having a play-maker run their offense, were able to count on two of the NBA’s best one-on-one scorers in ‘Melo and Amare Stoudemire when they really needed it. Stoudemire finished with 21 points, hitting eight of his 11 shots on the day, as the duo combined for 21 of the team’s 27 points in the final quarter. Meanwhile, newly-acquired center Tyson Chandler manned the lane on defense. Named a member of the NBA’s All-Defensive second team last season, the 7’1” Chandler attempted just two field goals but blocked six shots in his debut.
Despite the blocks Boston still shot 51.3% from the floor but attempted just five three-pointers, hitting two of them, while the Knicks hit a-respectable 47.3% of their shots, but made nine of 20 three-point attempts in running Coach Mike D'Antoni’s high-scoring offense.
Boston, who not only shot a better percentage from the field also out-rebounded the Knicks 41–31 and had 28 assists to New York’s 17. The Celtics got a lift from power forward Brandon Bass, acquired in the offseason from Orlando for forward Glen Davis and guard Von Wafer, who promptly poured in 20 points and 11 rebounds in his Boston debut. Also making significant contributions were veterans Kevin Garnett (15 points, eight rebounds) and Ray Allen (20 points, four rebounds).
For the Knicks, guard Toney Douglas put up 19 points on the day and was one of four players to score in double-digits along with Stoudemire, Anthony, and the rookie Iman Shumpert. New York’s next contest is Wednesday night at Golden State
