LAKERS 107
Two days after their emotional 100-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center, the Knicks trounced the struggling Los Angeles Lakers, and their former head coach Mike D'Antoni, 116-107 at the Garden last night.
The Knicks exploded out of the gate with 41 first quarter points, including 22-points from Carmelo Anthony, who must have really enjoyed sticking to D'Antoni, his in-house nemesis over the past two years when D'Antoni coached the Knicks.
Anthony connected on three straight three-pointers to open the game, handing the Knicks a huge 11-2 lead right out of the gate, and the onslaught didn't stop there and the Lakers never had an answer. Five Knicks were in double figures on the night, including 18-points each for Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith, as well as 19-points from Raymond Felton, who had a monster night blowing past the Lakers beat up center Dwight Howard for easy lay-ups.
Even though the Lakers got 31-points from Kobe Bryant and 20-points from Howard, both veterans were practically invisible as the Knicks built their lead to as a many as 26 points thanks to a 9-0 run in the second quarter, as Steven Novak and Rahseed Wallace drained three pointers.
With the victory the Knicks improved to their best start in 12 years at 17-5, and are still undefeated at home, 9-0.
The lone concern for the Knicks is the status of Carmelo Anthony, who sprained his ankle after colliding with Dwight Howard, and didn't return to the game. He is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers; but, according to the Knicks the injury does not appear serious. If Anthony misses a game or two, the Knicks have already shown they can win without their top scorer -- remember the hurting the Knicks out on the Heat a week ago? These Knicks are on fire!
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