New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony versus Boston Celtics in play-offs: NBA Play-offs Update Part-1
The New York Knicks’ Superstar forward Carmelo Anthony has mesmerised many with his recent performance in the first round of play-off series with the Boston Celtics. Despite the fact that the Celtics have ruined the Knicks in all the four games and won the
series with 4-0, but many basketball pundits have acknowledged Carmelo’s contribution and appreciated his ball play in the first round series. Carmelo averaged 26.0 points, 10.30 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in all those four play-off games.
Game 1: Sunday, April 17, 2011
The New York Knicks finished the regular season on a high note as they grabbed the sixth play-off spot in the Eastern Conference and qualified into the next round to play the best-of-seven first round series with the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics have qualified as the third-seeded team with (56-26) record. Both teams were scheduled to play their first play-off game on Sunday April 17, at the TD Garden, in Boston.
Though, the result of the match went in the favour of the Boston Celtics as they defeated the Knicks with 87-85, but Carmelo performed well in his first post-season game with the Knicks after coming from the Denver Nuggets.
Carmelo scored 15 points, four rebounds and four assists, but he also missed 10 of 11 shots in the second half of the game as his team-mate forward Amar’e Stoudemire also performed excellent and scored 28 points.
Before the game the Knicks head Coach Mike D'Antoni stated regarding Anthony’s impact in these play-offs when he said, “He's the best finisher of games in the last 10 years, if I'm not mistaken, in the NBA.”
After that particular thrashing by the Celtics on Sunday, Carmelo started his preparations hard for the next encounter and looked determined to perform even better in this time around.
Carmelo also spoke to the media after his practice session on Monday, April 18. Carmelo was asked by some reporter as how he experienced the shooting scenario in the play-offs as compare to the regular season. Carmelo answered, "No, it's the same feeling.
I feel confident enough to know that come down crunch time; I can make a play or make a shot. That play was no different than the one I made in Philadelphia a week and a half ago.”
Game 2: Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Carmelo Anthony went into the second play-off game with full thrust to out-do the Boston Celtics, who defeated the New York Knicks in the first game with 87-85.
The real talent of Carmelo Anthony came out in this particular game, as he scored 42 brilliant points and reached another level with his ball play. Carmelo levelled his career high play-off points and set another record of scoring 17 rebounds in a game.
The New York Knicks also outscored the Celtics with 53-37 rebounds, but the breath-taking performance by Carmelo Anthony was not proved enough for the Knicks as they again fell short of three points. The Celtics overpowered the New York Knicks with 96-93
and took the 2-0 lead in the series.
Even Boston Celtics’ Head Coach Doc Rivers praised Carmelo’s this splendid performance and said, “We were lucky to win.”
The Knicks’ Carmelo still was not disappointed as his team has lost the second consecutive game from the Boston as said after the match, “The Celtics didn't do anything special, they won two games on their home court. Now it's our turn to do the same thing.”
The series’ third play-off game was scheduled on Friday, April 22, 2011 in Knicks home court at Madison Square Garden, New York.
Article continued in Part 2 of New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony versus Boston Celtics in play-offs: NBA Play-offs Update
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