Melo Time!!!
It was simply a playoff atmosphere in Phillips Arena last night between the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks as well as a shootout for 36 minutes of the game. Both teams basically put up 28 points or better through the first three quarters shooting 50% or better from the field including the three point line, where the Knicks and the Hawks shot over 60% for the game. Carmelo Anthony started on another scoring tare scoring 20 points in the first half. Marvin Williams was a starter this game,which he hadn’t been in a while, trying to keep up with Melo scoring 15 points in the first half knocking down back to back three’s in the first quarter, but Melo turned it up even more in the second half. Amare Stoudemire made his return after being out with a back injury, scoring 22 points and 11 boards. His play of the night came in the clutch seconds of the fourth quarter. Joe Johnson, besides getting torched by Melo, still had a good offensive night scoring 22 points shooting 100% from the trey knocking down three and then a possible game winning three with the defense draped all over him under two minutes to take the lead after being down two points. Carmelo Anthony would answer after the Hawks looked lost on defense on the Knicks series on offense knocking down a long mid-range to put the Knicks up one point finishing with 39 points and 10 boards. The Hawks put the ball in the hands of Marvin Williams who was answering all night, scoring a season high 29 points, 11 boards, and 3 blocks, in which he drove to the basket to dunk it for the game winner but was met at the rim by Amare Stoudemire who blocked Williams attempt to end the game which I thought was a statement made by Amare who has always received criticism on the defensive side of his game by analyst and “experts” saying that he does not defend well. I think Amare and Carmelo are focused and ready to have a great post-season with Melo on the boards, defending well and Amare also on the boards and playing good defense should make them tough to beat in the playoffs. The Knicks defeat the Hawks 113-112 despite having the presence of Tyson Chandler who was resting. The key will be veteran Baron Davis to keep the team in rhythm by distributing the rock and scoring when needed.
