Nets vs. Knicks: Video Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Grades
Well, it wasn't exactly the greatest return to Madison Square Garden for Carmelo Anthony on Monday night against the New Jersey Nets.
In his much-anticipated return to the floor with Jeremy Lin and the red-hot New York Knicks, Anthony was rusty, and the Knicks didn't do enough as a whole in their 100-92 defeat.
It's safe to say Deron Williams got revenge on Lin following the Nets' loss to the Knicks on Feb. 4.
Tweets of the Night
Tina Cervasio, Knicks sideline reporter for MSG Networks, couldn't help but notice Baron Davis' number:
"Baron Davis @nyknicks debut. The #85 looks ... Strange. #Knicks
— Tina Cervasio (@TinaCervasio) February 21, 2012"
Patrick Muldowney of ESPN made sure to get in on the Carmelo Anthony bashing:
"Carmelo Anthony to Jeremy Lin for three.This is real.
— Patrick Muldowney (@patmuldowney) February 21, 2012"
The infamous @NotBillWalton gave us all a laugh:
"Last 7 games: Jeremy Lin 150 pts, 70 asts, $68,000. Carmelo Anthony 0 pts, 0 asts, $1.6 million. Vanessa Bryant 0 pts, 0 asts, $2.5 million.
— The Bill Walton Trip (@NotBillWalton) February 16, 2012"
Bleacher Report's own Zachary D. Rymer pointed out some irony at the half:
"No turnovers for Jeremy Lin, 8-point deficit for the #Knicks. Hmmm...
— Zachary D. Rymer (@zachrymer) February 21, 2012"
And Bill Reiter of FoxSports.com marveled at the play of Deron Williams as the game winded down:
"Deron Williams with an unusual & effective reaction to Linsanity: Anger. Seems to be fueling him. He's nearly unstoppable tonight.
— Bill Reiter (@foxsportsreiter) February 21, 2012"
Must-See Highlight
During the Knicks' early run in the first quarter, Lin was able to come away with a Nets turnover, passing down the floor to Landry Fields before Fields dropped it back to Tyson Chandler for the thunderous dunk.
Grades for Knicks' Key Players
Jeremy Lin: B+
Lin didn't shoot as well against the Nets as he did on Feb. 4 (the start of the Knicks' seven-game winning streak), but he did have nine assists, seven rebounds, four steals and three turnovers.
Lin finished with 21 points on 7-of-18 shooting.
Carmelo Anthony: C-
Anthony got off to a fast start, hitting his first jumper off a pick-and-pop with Lin. He was also looking to get his teammates involved from the start, actually assisting a Lin three-pointer.
But, he didn't shoot well on Monday night, showing some rust from being off the floor. He had only five points on 2-of-6 shooting at the half and ended up with 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting.
Plus, Anthony had six turnovers and drew a technical foul for intentionally tripping Kris Humphries. Not exactly a good return to action for 'Melo, and I'm sure the New York media will eat it up.
Amar'e Stoudemire: B-
Stoudemire went 4-of-9 from the field in the first half and grabbed only one rebound. He never was a rebounding threat all night and finished with 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting.
Landry Fields: B
Fields started slow, but really took off later in the game. He's been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Lin's play, posting a double-double against the Nets.
Grades for Nets' Key Players
Deron Williams: A-
Deron Williams had a very good game on Monday night, posting 38 points and six assists. He had a whopping eight three-pointers, which proved to be part of the Knicks' demise.
He's trying his darndest to get Dwight Howard to sign with the Nets.
MarShon Brooks: B+
MarShon Brooks continues to prove he is worthy of his late buzz at the 2011 NBA Draft. The 25th overall pick started off red-hot on Monday night, scoring 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting and dishing three assists by halftime.
He finished with 18 points and five assists.
Deciding Factor: Three-Point Shooting
The Nets shot under 40 percent on Monday night, but they hit a dazzling 15 three-pointers on 31 attempts. Williams was particularly deadly from long range.
The Knicks, meanwhile, were 5-of-20 from beyond the arc.
Game MVP: Deron Williams
Williams was fantastic on Monday night at MSG, giving the crowd a show while he outplayed Lin.
There were questions about whether Williams would exact revenge on Lin and the Knicks after the Nets were surprised on Feb. 4.
Williams got revenge, and then some.
What's Next?
The Knicks will host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, while the Nets will face Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic.
