Carmelo Anthony Returns to the Carrier Dome

Anthony loses for the first time in the Dome in a preseason game versus the Sixers

By Ali Koskoris

Carmelo Anthony returned to the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University last Monday night, and his Knicks dropped their third consecutive preseason game—this time against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Knicks started out well. Anthony scored the first points of the contest just thirteen seconds in on a beautiful jumper. Raymond Felton then swished a three pointer at the buzzer off of an Anthony assist.  Anthony then proceeded to steal the ball and alley-oop it up to Tyson Chandler for a monstrous dunk to put the Knicks up 7-0.

The game went downhill from there for the Knicks, as the Sixers went on a 14-0 run and headed into the second quarter leading 26-23.  Philadelphia continued to dominate in the second quarter, outscoring the Knicks 36-21.  Jason Richardson and Thaddeus Young led the 76ers’ attack. 

AP Photo/ Kevin Rivoll

In the first half, Richardson scored 14, pulled down six rebounds, and dished out five assists.  He finished the game 8-17 from downtown, with seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, one blocked shot, and 23 points.  Young scored 12 and grabbed three rebounds that first half.  He ended the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

At halftime, the Knicks trailed the Sixers 62-44.  Anthony and Felton entered the second half in attack mode, driving to the basket and taking open jumpers.  By the end of the third quarter, the Knicks were only trailing by four. 

New York played more aggressively in the second half, and had many open shots, but their shots were not falling, and they did not take the lead at any point.  Philadelphia continued its strong play, and defeated the Knicks 98-90.  New York clearly missed the power and offensive and defensive prowess of forward Amar’e Stoudemire, who did not travel to Syracuse because of an injured knee.

Felton was the only consistent player for the Knicks, going 5-7 from beyond the arc with three assists and 23 points.  Anthony grabbed six rebounds, with five assists, four steals, a blocked shot, and 23 points.  Despite his nice statistics, Anthony did not play his best game.

Anthony received a standing ovation from the crowd when he ultimately left the game with a minute left to play.  “My streak is over,” he said on his first loss in the Dome.