Twenty thousand points and two straight close victories has made Carmelo Anthony a humbled and happy man after the season’s first three games.
Anthony hit the 20,000-point career milestone, the go-ahead basket with 1:23 left and the game-clinching rebound with .8 seconds to go as the Knicks beat the Hornets 96-93 Sunday at the Garden.
Suffering no letdown after their shocking win in Cleveland, the Knicks moved to 2-1 after nearly blowing a 15-point second-quarter lead. But Anthony made sure they survived another nail-biter in the final two minutes.
“In the past I would say we would have lost a couple of these close games,’’ said Anthony, who struggled mightily in fourth quarters last season. “It shows how far we’ve come. I think it’s our confidence, growing together.’’
Anthony entered the game three points shy of 20,000 and finished with 28, giving him 20,025 to becoming the 10th active player to hit the mark and 40th overall. Anthony played 34:43 as coach Derek Fisher is giving him more breathers than Anthony used to get under Mike Woodson.
“It’s a humbling experience,’’ Anthony said. “I never thought that I would be sitting here talking about me scoring 20,000 points. I used to look at when I played with A.I. [Allen Iverson] in Denver and see his stats like, ‘Man, you have 20,000 points.’ I never thought I would be there reaching that milestone. I’m definitely humbled by this experience and I have more to go.’’
Anthony finished 12-of-22 from the field and received plenty of support from Iman Shumpert, who scored 15 points with four assists. Amar’e Stoudemire added 17 points and 10 boards off the bench.
With the Knicks down three, Shumpert banged in a gigantic left-wing trey to tie the score. Then Anthony drained a 15-footer over Marvin Williams from the left elbow to put the Knicks ahead 95-93 with 1:23 left, and that’s how it ended.
Shumpert’s 3-point shot came after Pablo Prigioni alertly caught a bad pass and got it back to him. Prigioni played the entire fourth quarter instead of starter Shane Larkin.
“Thank God for Pablo,’’ Shumpert said. “He saved the day.’’
The referees did, too. Charlotte got possession with 36.6 seconds left down two, but the Hornets were called for a questionable five-second violation as Marvin Williams inbounded at the same time referee Kevin Cutler counted to five.
The Hornets had another chance but New York native Kemba Walker forced a wild shot in the dying seconds after overdribbling. Anthony cradled the rebound — only his second of the night — with .8 seconds left, was fouled and sank one of two free throws.
“We’re just trusting each other,’’ Shumpert said. “Last year was the worst in my life, and I don’t want to do that again.’’
With 3:49 left, Anthony also aided the late-game hold, making a sensational spin move past Stephenson for a layup and 90-89 lead.
“Guys are stepping up,’’ Anthony said. “J.R. [Smith] in Cleveland. Shump tonight.’’
Smith said the triangle is keeping everyone involved and allowing Anthony to succeed late.
“It’s still within our offense,’’ Smith said of Anthony’s late shot. “We have the triangle set on the other side. It is hard for anybody to double off the elbow.’’
Fisher is also keeping Anthony fresh for the fourth quarter. He allowed him to rest until 8:25 remained before bringing him back in.
“I think it’s important to allow for a guy who is a great closer like Carmelo to have the energy to do so,’’ Fisher said.