Beasley bags 30 as Knicks spoil Anthony’s Garden party
NEW YORK: Michael Beasley had the hot hand as the New York Knicks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-96 on Saturday, spoiling the return of Carmelo Anthony to Madison Square Garden.
Beasley shot 11-of-18 from the field to tally 30 points as six players scored in double figures for the Knicks, who improved to 16-13 on the season.
“Mike has been fantastic,” Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said. “He is engaged in practice, he talks with the guys, he is a smart basketball player.”
Beasley “really understands the game,” Hornacek added.
“Some of that stuff he does effortless. He had a fantastic game.”
Anthony struggled in his return, making just five field goals and finishing with 12 points including none in the second half. Anthony, who was featured
a highlight video during the in is introductions, heard cheers from the crowd of 19,800 but also a smattering of boos.
This was Anthony’s first trip back to the Garden as a member of the Thunder since being traded in September for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a draft pick.
Anthony helped lead New York to its first division title in 19 years in the 2012-2013 season and averaged nearly 25 points per game in his six-plus-year stint with the Knicks.
But Anthony has scored more than 25 points just once in his last 26 games with the Thunder. “The video montage caught me by surprise,” Anthony said. “I wasn’t expecting it. I was waiting for my name to be called.”
He thanked Knicks’ executives Scott Perry and Steve Mills “for making the gesture. That goes a long way.”