Nets vs. Knicks: Breaking down the matchups

Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony
Expect another dogfight. (AP)

Gerald Wallace vs. Carmelo Anthony

DEVIN KHARPERTIAN

The Nets have had no answer for Carmelo Anthony this year. (AP)

Carmelo Anthony has played Brooklyn three times now, more than any other team in the league. In those three games, he’s scored 31, 35, and 45 points. He’s hit 12 of 20 three-pointers, shot 54% from the field, and led New York to victory in two of those three games. Even with noted defender Gerald Wallace checking him at every turn, ‘Melo seems to play his best basketball against Brooklyn, and Brooklyn hasn’t had any answer for him.

Wallace’s numbers are pedestrian at best this year, but don’t let that fool you — the Nets have played significantly better with Wallace on the floor, despite his deficiencies, and even moreso in the Carlesimo era. But even considering all of Wallace’s off-the-stat-sheet contributions, there’s no battle here: Anthony’s scoring like the best player in New York, posting career-bests in points per 36 minutes, three-point percentage, true shooting percentage, effective field goal percentage, player efficiency rating, and offensive rating. This seems like the Carmelo Anthony the NBA deserves.

I love Gerald Wallace, but make no mistake: the way Anthony’s playing, this is easily the biggest gulf in talent by position.

Advantage: New York

Next: Reggie Evans vs. Amar’e Stoudemire

Deron Williams vs. Jason Kidd | Joe Johnson vs. Iman Shumpert | Gerald Wallace vs. Carmelo Anthony | Reggie Evans vs. Amar’e Stoudemire | Brook Lopez vs. Tyson Chandler | Bench Mob vs. Knicks Bench | P.J. Carlesimo vs. Mike Woodson