Anthony can't carry Knicks' load by himself
Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks goes to the hoop against Udonis Haslem and LeBron James of the Miami Heat. (April 15, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Knicks were fortunate to get away with it earlier this month when Anthony scored 43 points and hit the game-winning three-pointer against the Bulls in overtime. Chicago's two All-Stars, Luol Deng and Derrick Rose, missed four free throws in the final 34 seconds of regulation when one would have iced the game.
Anthony had 29 in Tuesday's loss in Chicago. He scored 42 Sunday against the Heat, but the Knicks' Big One couldn't beat Miami's Big Three.
The Celtics visit the Garden Tuesday night, and the Knicks said Tyson Chandler, who hurt his left knee Sunday, will play as they try to keep alive their minuscule hopes of winning the Atlantic Division. The Knicks (31-29) are 41/2 games behind the Celtics with six games to play. If Anthony doesn't get the proper help, the Knicks can forget about the division and will have to concentrate on holding off ninth-place Milwaukee. They are two games in front of the Bucks.
"I can't complain about the way we've been playing," interim coach Mike Woodson said. "We've been playing some pretty good basketball. I'm not going to let one game determine the rest of this season."
If the Knicks make the playoffs, they'll likely open against Chicago or Miami. They stand little chance against either if Anthony continues to do all of the heavy lifting. The Knicks want him in good rhythm for the playoffs but not worn down.
Anthony said on WFAN Monday morning that after Woodson replaced Mike D'Antoni, he pointed at him specifically in front of the team and said he had to do more. "I accepted that challenge," Anthony said.
Anthony is averaging 30 points in the last 11 games and the Knicks are 13-5 under Woodson. The Celtics have won 13 of 17, and Rajon Rondo has dished out at least 10 assists in 22 consecutive games. It's another tough challenge for the Knicks, especially because point guard is a weak spot and defensive anchor Chandler is less than 100 percent.
He banged his left knee with Joel Anthony in Sunday's loss and could hardly move in the fourth quarter. Chandler received treatment Monday. If he's limited and not the same defensive force he's been all season, it's even more critical for Anthony's teammates to pick up some of the scoring slack.
Help could be on the way later in the week; Amar'e Stoudemire might return from a bulging disc in his back. But it's hard to expect Stoudemire to be his old self after last playing March 24.
Backup guard J.R. Smith has been the Knicks' No. 2 scorer behind Anthony, but he often walks a fine line between keeping the Knicks in the game and shooting them out of it.
A big problem has been the Knicks' starting perimeter players. Baron Davis, Iman Shumpert and Landry Fields have been inconsistent. That trio shot 4-for-18 and scored 10 points against Miami. At least Shumpert, who was slowed by a sprained ankle, makes up for quiet offensive games with strong defense. But Davis and Fields haven't been playing well defensively. Davis is banged up with various injuries. Fields looked overwhelmed against Miami and rarely plays well against Boston. The good teams also have limited Steve Novak, bodying him and giving him little space to catch and shoot three-pointers.
"I feel good about our team," Woodson said. "We'll be fine."
Notes & quotes: Jeremy Lin is one of six divisional winners for the NBA Sportsmanship Award, joining Antawn Jamison, Shane Battier, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul and Luke Ridnour.
