Knicks hold off Celtics after Anthony sprains ankle

As a result, he couldn’t continue the game for the second half, which seemed like an ominous sign for the team. “We don’t want to make a steady diet out of playing without Carmelo on the floor, but all teams kind of go through this at some point and we have to respond to it”. Porzingis played just eight minutes in the second half because of foul trouble, but the Celtics couldn’t capitalize.

The game is on January 12, 2016 at 7:30 PM ET.

Porzingis and Anthony combined for 28 points in the first quarter, helping the Knicks to a 37-26 lead. They’re 0-5 this year in contests decided by three points or less and, entering Tuesday, were just 8-11 in games that were within five points with less than five minutes to play. The Celtics started off the season starting Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley but after Smart went down with an injury, Stevens started Isaiah Thomas alongside Bradley. He also distributed three assists and pulled down four rebounds in the short time. Coach Derek Fisher said he hopes Anthony will be able to play Saturday at Memphis.

Porzingis fouled out on Crowder’s 3-point attempt with 2:44 left in the game. In the three games coming into Tuesday’s matchup with the Celtics, Melo had gone 56 percent from the field and posted 25 points, 20 points, and 24 points respectively.

He did all that with LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan alternating on him, a good sign that the kid will get even better as he matures.

Barclays Center was teaming with replica Knicks jerseys Wednesday night, which was no surprise given the state of the home team and the positive recent vibe around the visitors.

This is a very entertaining battle as both teams are locked tight in the Atlantic as they occupy second and third at the moment and are only behind the leaders, the Toronto Raptors, by a few games. That’s not a bad thing; one of the biggest criticisms that Anthony has drawn, especially since he came to NY, is that he’s too selfish with the ball and takes too many shots.

Harden, who reached 10,000 career points on a fourth-quarter free throw, paired 27 points with 11 assists, while Howard added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

While the X-rays on Anthony’s ankle were negative, Fisher said after the game that the team wouldn’t know his status for New York’s Wednesday meeting with the crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets until shortly before tipoff.

“The coaches put the ball in my hands and gave me confidence leaving me in during the fourth quarter and told me to control the game”, said Grant.

“We’re not doing enough of the little things to win these games”. (Thanks ref) It started to look like one of those games the Knicks were going to lose in the late 4th quarter. And with that in mind, he expects Porzingis to be a great player during his National Basketball Association tenure which may line him up to possibly succeed Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks.