With just five games left in the regular season, Carmelo Anthony has the opportunity to become the first New York Knicks player to win the scoring title since 1985. He'll look to continue his remarkable offensive dominance in a Thursday night matchup against the Chicago Bulls at 8 p.m. ET.
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Via ESPN:
Anthony had 36 points, eight rebounds and six assists as New York (51-26) routed Washington 120-99 on Tuesday to clinch the Atlantic Division title for the first time since 1994. Anthony became the first Knick to score 35 in five straight games since Bernard King, who won the Knicks' last scoring title by averaging 32.9 points during the 1984-85 season.
"I just think Melo, he's been on a nice run and ... it's nice to see because I know what he's thinking," coach Mike Woodson said. "He was thinking winning that division tonight and he wasn't going to leave any doubt in anybody's mind that we earned the rights to win the division tonight."
With the division crown locked up, the Knicks have bigger things in mind.
"It's a great thing to achieve one of your main goals, and now we've just got to go get that gold ball," reserve guard J.R. Smith said, referring to the championship trophy.
Realizing those lofty aspirations will be easier if Anthony can maintain his current level of play. He is averaging 40.6 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 61.1 percent from the field and 58.6 percent (17 for 29) from 3-point range in five games in April. Those performances have led the Knicks to their longest winning streak since a 15-game run March 1-April 2, 1994.
Anthony is averaging 28.6 points, just in front of Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant at 28.3 per game.
