Carmelo Anthony was one of the most brilliant stars in the league when the New York Knicks were still relevant.
Anthony returned to The Garden on Saturday as one of the league’s oldest statesmen. The Knicks denied him a historic moment as they continue their rise to relevance.
The Knicks (11-13) moved up to sixth in the East after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 110-99, for the second consecutive victory.
Needing just 13 points to catch Oscar Robertson on the NBA scoring list in 12th place, the Knicks defense kept Anthony with just a single field goal after exploding by 22 points in Portland’s big win in Philadelphia last Thursday.
Even the return of Portland star Damian Lillard from bloating could not help the Trail Blazers break the Knicks’ petty defense.
Lillard had the best mark in the game, 29 points, but failed to score in the last 3:28, when New York avoided Portland’s late rally.
Elfrid Payton started from where he left off in Chicago, while Immanuel Quickley had a timely mini outbreak in the fourth period.
Payton was a stabilizing force at the Knicks’ point of attack. He finished with his second consecutive 20-point performance, with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Quickley scored 12 points in 13 minutes, including seven in the opening moments of the fourth period, which restored order after the Blazers reached five.
Julius Randle continued to play at the All-Star level with 22 points, including four clutch free throws that sealed the victory.
At a crucial moment in the third quarter, he pushed his way against Anthony and buried a sweater over his outstretched arms – a passing moment from the torch.
Anthony was the last Knick to play in the All-Star game. Randle is about to be next.
The current Knicks striker had 11 rebounds and four assists for his 16th double-double of the season.
Reggie Bullock and Alec Burks combined in six of the Knicks’ 13 triples in a total team effort.
The Knicks will have another acid test tomorrow against Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
Anthony, who was nostalgic and praised what Tom Thibodeau has done so far for the Knicks, saw firsthand what it was all about.
It all starts with defense.
The Knicks kept the Trail Blazers at their second lowest score this season.
Unlike the 116-113 loss in Portland, the Knicks did not play catchup basketball this time. They were in control for most of the game and played as a playoff team.
It was sweet revenge.
And that happened at the expense of Anthony, the former franchise player and the last symbol of the Knicks’ playoff basketball.
Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo