The Knicks were down by 12 early, but fought right back and finished the first only down 1. Al Harrington scored with ease, and played from the inside out like he always should. Tracy McGrady was impressive, and even aggressively skied to the hoop for a facial over The Birdman Chris Andersen, but unfortunately he lost control of the ball. It is nice to see that he may still be able to recapture his past form, but it'd be nicer if he could play well in the 4th quarter, when the Knicks could use his veteran presence.
The Knicks lead looked tenuous for the entire fourth quarter, as they missed shot after shot and fould shot after foul shot. Gallinari was forcing the issue a little, but good things happened as usual. Gallo got bailed out time after time with foul calls, and he is automatic from the line. Melo was constantly looming, scoring whenever he chose. Would it be a game that the Knicks crumble against a team who knows how to finish games, or would they step up and finish it off. The missed free throws of the Knicks and the 3 point shooting of JR Smith down the stretch made things tense, but the Knicks pulled out the victory for one of the highlights of the season.
Toney Douglas drove right on Nene, crossed over left for the pullup jumper at the elbow, and swished it to seal it for the Knicks, and Gallinari finished the game with 2 free throws to give the Knicks the 109-104 win.
The story of the game was the 3rd quarter duel between Danilo Gallinari and Carmelo Anthony. Gallinari asked Coach D'Antoni to guard the best player on every team, and he got his wish last night, matching up against the indomitable Melo. Carmelo caught fire in the third, pulling up for long range jumpers at will over The Rooster, utilizing a sublime combination of shaking and baking, stopping and popping. It was not bad defense by Gallo, he had to give Melo some space out of respect for his driving ability, but it was clear that Melo was toying with The Rooster. I'm sure he heard about how Gallinari requested the assignment, and was trying to make him regret it. Carmelo set something off in Danilo, and he started calling for the ball, and draining threes. After each three Gallinari celebrated with gusto, shouting what i assume were Italian obscenities, and pounding his chest. Carmelo should have let sleeping roosters lie, but he woke the beast, and Gallo set the nets on fire.
Gallinari said after the game that he loves to talk trash, and it's part of the game. I am a horrible trash talker, and it sucks. Gallo though, really rose to the occasion and took all Carmelo's best shots and responded right back, verbally and with jumpshots. Carmelo said he was a little surprised that Gallinari talked back and thrived in their little duel. Mike D'Antoni made the good point after the game saying how Danilo now has to learn to bring that fire out on his own, instead of needing an opponent to bring it out. Guys like Kobe, LeBron are self motivated, endlessly driven to be there best possible every night. It's really rare, and we can only hope that Gallo figures this part of the game out. Gallo led the Knicks with 28 points, and Harrington chipped in with 23 points on 14 shots. Even with the Knicks far out of the playoffs, this game was heated and exciting, Clyde was on the mic, and the Knicks pulled off a sweet upset.
Billy Walker started, played well, but fouled out in only 23 minutes. His sixth foul was an inadvertent and hilarious smack to the face of The Birdman. Lots of stars were in the crowd, including Magic, Revis Island, and Jill Martin's guest for Gimme a Minute was Philip Seymour Hoffman. Carmelo is just unstoppable. LeBron is coming this year, and Melo is coming next year. Donnie Walsh must tell LeBron that if he signs with them, he will bring in Carmelo next year to be his partner in crime in the most unstoppable offensive team of all time. Douglas, LeBron, Carmelo, Gallo, and Lee would be lethal, and with Mike D'Antoni at the helm they'd score 120 a game. This is going to happen!
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