NBA: Knicks give New York something to cheer about in season opener

By Elaine Stockdale 3/11/2012

Knicks celebrate // Photo Source Yahoo Sports

The New York Knicks exploded into New York City’s first sporting event since Hurricane Sandy hit shores. The Knicks trampled the Miami Heat 104-84, in their first home game since their opening-round playoff series last year – also played against the reigning champs.

Carmelo Anthony gave a salute at the beginning of the game and thanked Knick fans for coming along. The Madison Square Garden game was in doubts of being played due to Hurricane Sandy’s devastation on the city.

But Hurricane Sandy isn’t the only weather news to come out of New York, it rained 3-pointers today for the Knicks, who were lead by an energetic Anthony.

Anthony paved the way to victory for the Knicks making 30 points and 10 rebounds, he found his grove and hit four 3-pointers while the Knicks combined to make 19, Heat only managed 7 from 20 beyond the arc.

The Knicks played with immense energy and had the Heat defence on the run. The Knicks shared plenty of the ball around which helped give them an 11 point led by half time. Anthony was helped by crowd favourite Steve Novak who finished with 18 points, including five 3-pointers off the bench, and Raymond Felton who contributed with 14 points and 9 assists.

Veteran point guard Jason Kidd fired up in the third helping the Knicks extended their lead to 23 points. Fellow veteran Rasheed Wallace had his name chanted by the crowd before being subbed onto the floor in the fourth, Wallace scored his first 3-pointer in his return to the NBA since the 2010 finals.

Lebron James finished with the highest points for the Heat making 23, while a sympathetic Dwayne Wade added 15 buckets, five boards and four assists.

Wade expressed his feelings before the game stating that the game shouldn’t be played.

Wade said “Come on man, we shouldn’t be here to play a basketball game. If anything, we should be here to do something to help the city.”

Wade donated his game cheque with a value of $210,000 to the relief efforts.

Mario Chalmers had an ordinary night not making any positive impact for the Heat, Chalmers finished with a measly and embarrassing; six fouls, three points, one assist and two turnovers.

Rashard Lewis made 16 points while a quiet Chris Bosh finished with 12 for the flat footed and stunned Heat.

The Knicks were scheduled to play The Brooklyn Nets on Thursday but the game was cancelled due to the state of the mass transit system.

In other notable games today, the LA Lakers had their third straight loss of the season, defeated 105 – 95 but fellow east siders the LA Clippers – the first time this has happened since 1978. Kobe Bryant the leader of the team still finding its chemistry, finished with 40 points but it wasn’t enough to win.

Houston Rockets were led by tantalising new recruit, the bearded one – James Harden. Harden was unstoppable scoring a career-high 45 over the Atlanta Hawks, an amazing feat after he scored 37 points in his debut for the Rockets. Jeremy Lin worked hard alongside Harden finished with an almost triple-double, with 21 points, 10 boards and seven dimes.