It took awhile, but Carmelo Anthony finally has reached the half-century mark. The Nuggets star forward hit two free throws with 16.7 seconds left in Friday's 128-125 win over New York at the Pepsi Center to get to 50 points for first time in his NBA career. "Yeah, of course," Anthony said when asked if it was a monkey off his back to finally reach 50. "I have been there a couple of times and never got over that hump. It feels good to get that."
In six-plus NBA seasons, Anthony had four times scored 45 points or more, his previous high being 49 on Feb. 8, 2008, against Washington. All Anthony could do was laugh, looking back on that night.
With Denver on its way to a 111-100 win, Anthony was at 49 and the Nuggets were doing whatever they could to get him 50. The Wizards double- and triple-teamed him before he even reached halfcourt.
"They sent three people at me," Anthony said. "At the other end of the court."
Anthony reached 50 in the flow of the game Friday. He stepped to the line with 48 points and with his team leading 125-123 with 16.7 seconds left.
"It might have been the two toughest free throws I've shot in awhile," Anthony said. "We got the game on the line, 50. You're right there. You want to get it. If I said I didn't want to get it, I'd be lying to you."
Anthony said he's reached 50 only once before at any level. He got 50 points in a high school game.
"That definitely was a treat, man," Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups said of Anthony's performance. "That was a phenomenal performance by Melo. ... That was great. That one you remember for a lifetime."
NUGGETS 128, KNICKS 125: Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony scored a career-high 50 points in Friday's win over New York at the Pepsi Center. But he wasn't his team's top scorer during a wild fourth quarter. With New York outscoring the Nuggets 38-36, Denver guard J.R. Smith scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to Anthony's 11. With the Knicks throwing double- and triple-teams at Anthony, Smith drilled three 3-pointers in the final 5:14.
But Smith, who finished with 17 points, nearly opened the door for the Knicks at the end. He split two foul shots with 4.4 seconds left, leaving New York behind 128-125. But New York didn't have any timeouts left and couldn't advance the ball to halfcourt. The Knicks were unable to get off a potential tying 3-pointer.
Forward Al Harrington led the Knicks with 41 points, 13 in the fourth quarter. Guard Chauncey Billups added 32 for Denver.
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