Anthony's mood has brightened unmistakably in the past seven days, coinciding with a new winning streak and a change in coaches from Mike D'Antoni to Mike Woodson.
There was plenty for everyone to enjoy Tuesday night as the Knicks rolled past the Toronto Raptors, 106-87, stretching their winning streak to four games under Woodson, each victory by 14 points or greater.
"They are a tenacious, different team," Raptors Coach Dwane Casey said. "It's amazing, their tenacity, the way they attack. If you don't meet it, it takes you right out. And the Garden was a hot building tonight."
Anthony had 17 points and struggled with his shot (5 for 15), but he finished with a flourish, throwing an alley-oop to Tyson Chandler, then dunking himself on a pass from Amar'e Stoudemire to put the game away late in the fourth quarter.
Stoudemire played one of his best games since the All-Star break, with 22 points and 12 rebounds, and an 8-for-13 shooting performance. Jeremy Lin had 18 points and 10 assists as the Knicks (22-24) took a 2-1 edge in the season series with Toronto.
Anthony, who chafed under D'Antoni, has said recently that he feels re-energized, a certain byproduct of D'Antoni's departure.
Stoudemire said of Anthony: "He's been playing phenomenal, he really has. He's been facilitating. Team's have been double-teaming him, he's been doing a great job of finding guys when they're open. He's been a great leader out there on the court. He's playing great defensively. So that's something that we look forward to from him."
Before tip-off, Woodson said: "Sure, there's a difference. There's a difference with everyone, not just Melo. I think that sense of urgency is floating right now, and it's got to stay that way."
Lin scored or assisted on the Knicks' first four baskets of the second half as they pushed the lead to 11 points. They nearly blew open the game when Raptors center Aaron Gray helped give the Knicks a 5-point possession with an off-the-ball foul and two technical fouls.
Gray was whistled for a foul on Chandler while Landry Fields was driving for a layup. Then Gray yelled at the officials, earning two straight technicals and an automatic ejection. When it was all over, the Knicks' lead had jumped to 15 points. Toronto never got closer than 8 in the fourth quarter.
"Everybody feels great, having fun, enjoying the game of basketball," Stoudemire said. "And that's what it's about. When you enjoy doing your job, then it makes it much easier to play."
The Knicks and Raptors complete their four-game series Friday night in Toronto. But first, the Knicks have a stopover in Philadelphia, where they play the Atlantic Division-leading 76ers on Wednesday.
The Knicks began the night a half-game ahead of Milwaukee for the final playoff spot, and four and a half games behind the 76ers. Catching Philadelphia and winning the division would mean a top-four playoff spot. Short of that, there is still time for the Knicks to climb to the sixth spot and avoid a first-round matchup with Miami or Chicago.
"I can't worry about what Milwaukee and Philly does," Woodson said before the game. "We got to handle our own business."
Lin was steady, resilient and occasionally brilliant with the ball. He sustained a bloody nose in the first quarter — which now seems routine — after an incidental smack from DeMar DeRozan, and was repeatedly banged around in the paint, which also seems routine. But he kept driving and finding open teammates, reaching halftime with 7 points and 6 assists. He added 9 points in the third quarter.
Anthony is still hearing some boos during pregame introductions, and he emboldened critics when he acknowledged that he had not been giving a full effort this season.
"I think in the last three games, my focus just was to have an energy that I haven't had the first part of the season, especially on the defensive end," Anthony said Monday.
Those comments drew fire from fans and bloggers Tuesday. Woodson did not try to play down their significance.
"I'll say to you, and I'll say to Melo, he's got to bring the energy now," Woodson said. "I'm the head coach. And I can't speak for what has happened. I was a part of it. But he's got to play harder. And Amar'e's got to play harder. Everybody's got to play harder to get us where we need to go."
Asked why Anthony would not have given the same effort in the first two months of the season, Woodson said: "I can't explain it. I can't explain that. I can't. I wish I could. We probably wouldn't be sitting in this position that we're sitting in today, fighting for a playoff spot."
REBOUNDS
Baron Davis missed his second straight game because of a strained right hamstring. He is considered questionable for Wednesday's game in Philadelphia but is expected to be back by Friday at the latest. ...With Davis out, Mike WoodSOn has used Mike Bibby as his primary backup at point guard. ...Toney Douglas was back on the bench after missing three games to be with his girlfriend for the birth of their baby boy. He did not play — his 16th straight game without an appearance.
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