Knicks crush Blazers in Melo’s return to Madison Square Garden [UPDATE]

Carmelo Anthony makes his return to Madison Square Garden on New Year’s Day when the Portland Trail Blazers take on the New York Knicks. Melo spent a good chunk of his career filling it up in front of the NYC crowd, so this is a special one for him to kick off 2020. We’ll be tracking his fantasy basketball performance and stats throughout the game here.

UPDATE: Overall, not much happened for Anthony in the first quarter. He subbed out after playing six minutes and struggled with the size of Julius Randle on defense and checked back in later in the quarter. On offense, Melo hit a late three to bring his stat line to five points and two rebounds. He was efficient, making two of his three shots attempts.

UPDATE: The second quarter had a bit more action for the former Knicks’ star. Melo dropped 10 points in the second quarter, giving him 15 for the game. So far, it hasn’t been enough and the Blazers are trailing by three at the half. Damian Lillard had one of his worst halves of the season, scoring just two points on 1-10 shooting.

UPDATE: The third quarter was another huge scoring period for Anthony. Carmelo poured in another 11 points, bring him to a game-high 26. It still isn’t enough for the Blazers, who continue to struggle on defense against the Knicks. New York leads 83-77 and Portland is going to need to get some stops to comeback and win.

UPDATE: This must have been a familiar feeling for Carmelo Anthony. He didn’t end up scoring in the fourth quarter, but still finished with a game-high 26 points. Melo didn’t get much help from his teammates and Portland inexplicable got blown out by the Knicks. New York is now 3-0 playing against its former building block players, Melo and Kristaps Porzingis.

UPDATE: If you thought Melo wouldn’t get a warm welcome in MSG, well, you were wrong.