Overtime For Anthony-Garnett Feud: Melo Stalks Celtics' Bus After Loss
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Carmelo Anthony didn't just lose Monday's heated first meeting of the season against the rival Celtics.
He lost his cool, and the league likely will investigate and could penalize the Knicks' leading scorer for his postgame antics.
Comcast SportsNet New England posted a video on its website showing Anthony waiting for Kevin Garnett near the Celtics' team bus after the 102-96 defeat, with coach Mike Woodson and NYPD nearby.
"A shouting match ensued, with police and security staying in between the players before things escalated any further," wrote A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE. "Woodson eventually came on the scene to try and calm his star player and get him away from the area."
According to the New York Daily News, Garnett "seemed somewhat surprised and confused" and tried to act "as a peacemaker."
Anthony had 20 points but shot 6 of 26 while battling his temper, Garnett and foul trouble.
Boston led by four when Anthony and Garnett became extra physical with each other on a Boston possession that ended with a turnover with 9:03 remaining. Anthony followed him all the way to midcourt as they jawed at each other following the play, leading to technical fouls on both players.
"Yeah, it got intense in the end," said Garnett. "We just tried to put a hand in his face. You know, Melo is such a good scorer. We tried to slow him down."
The Knicks forward also went toward the Celtics locker room after the game to keep shouting, taking his frustrations from the court right along with him and perhaps risking a suspension from the NBA.
Anthony left without talking to reporters and the Knicks wouldn't comment on Anthony's postgame trip in the wrong direction, but Celtics coach Doc Rivers didn't deny it.
"I'm going to let you all figure that one out. I'm going to stay out of that," Rivers said. "If it was the playoffs I'd tell on him, but since it's not I'm going to just be quiet."
Rivers didn't need to. MSG Network reported the incident, in which security had to step in and send Anthony back in the right direction, as it went to its postgame show.
The trash talk didn't just stay on the court — or between players. Paul Pierce tried to throw the ball in from the sideline shortly after, only to have Spike Lee standing and yelling in his ear the whole time.
"I've been tuning Spike Lee out for years," Pierce said. "That's just common noise now."
Should the NBA suspend Melo for his postgame antics? Be heard in the comments below!
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