NEW YORK -- Carmelo Anthony stole the show on Saturday with 37 points and a game-winning shot against the Sixers.
His dramatic bucket was the difference maker in the Knicks 110-109 victory (see story), but a deeper look into the box score tells another story of a strong comeback attempt fallen short.
While the Knicks were led by one player (Derrick Rose had 18 points and was the only other Knick to score more than 14), the Sixers fought back with standout efforts from a trio of starters.
The frontcourt of Jahlil Okafor, Robert Covington and Dario Saric combined for 67 points and 35 rebounds. That's 61.4 percent of the Sixers' total offense and 70 percent of their production on the boards.
In a game remembered for one shot, don't forget about these performances.
Okafor: 28 points, 10 rebounds (six offensive), one assist, 28:45
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Okafor scored a season-high 28 points (three shy of his career-high) starting in place of the injured Joel Embiid. He was aggressive from the start, scoring 11 points in the first quarter alone. He followed that up with another 11 in the fourth. Down the stretch, Okafor scored the Sixers' final two baskets, including the critical go-ahead jumper with nine seconds left.
"There was a real bounce even at the start," Brett Brown said of Okafor, who received treatment after the game and was not available to speak to the media. "He is such a gifted scorer when he has that fluid nature that we saw at the start. … I feel like there was a real mentality for Jahlil to look to score."
The most significant aspect of Okafor's game, though, was in the rebounding column. He has struggled on the boards -- his defense has been the knock on him since he entered the league. On Friday, he grabbed just two rebounds against the Wizards while Richaun Holmes had 10 off the bench.
That changed on Saturday. Okafor pulled down six rebounds … in his first 11 minutes. That equaled his total from the past two games combined. Okafor gave the Sixers a glimpse into what they hope to see more of from their man in the middle.
"Jah did an amazing job on both sides of the court," Covington said. "He made a bunch of tough plays on the offensive and defensive end. He got a couple big rebounds for us, he does that a lot but we've just got to get him to keep doing it more consistently."
Saric: 19 points, 15 rebounds (six offensive), five assists, 39:34
How do you keep up with 20 points and 11 rebounds on Friday? Post a 19-point, 15-rebound double-double the next night (a career-high in boards).
Check out Saric's total numbers from in his last two games: 39 points, 17 for 36 field goal shooting, 26 rebounds, nine assists and 73 minutes. Saric ranks second among all rookies in double-doubles (seven) behind only teammate Embiid.
"That's massive numbers by any standards," Brown said. "His versatility and his skill package, all under the roof of how competitive he is, makes him a very, very unique rookie."
There has been an increase in Saric's ball movement of late. His comfort level and growing team chemistry is translating into more assists.
"I just think he's just so at peace within himself, and so his game takes the same type of shape," Brown said. "It's not forced."
Saric's game has been driven by effort from the beginning of his rookie season. He approaches each play with a high level of intensity and his stat lines reflect his mentality.
"We fought until the end," Saric said. "We never gave up."
Covington: 20 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, two blocks, 38:53
Covington's locker was crowded after the game as he was the one who guarded Anthony on the final shot. Yet, in spite of being tasked with Anthony, Covington still posted a 20-and-10 double-double and came up with a major defensive play down the stretch.
With the Sixers trailing 108-107 with just over 30 seconds to play, Covington picked off Lance Thomas' pass to start a fast break. This steal started a Sixers possession that eventually led to Okafor scoring the go-ahead basket. Covington is averaging 3.4 steals in his last five games.
"He helped us coach him to being a two-way player. Now he's for real," Brown said of Covington before the game. "I look at him as somebody that has just grown right before us all and bought in as a wonderful teammate, is a two-way player, is amongst the NBA's elite wing defenders when you look at his position and can guard multiple people. That has come through work."
