Anthony scores 62 as Knicks end losing skid
NBA: Carmelo Anthony scored a career-high and franchise-record 62 points, most at the current Madison Square Garden, and the New York Knicks beat the Charlotte Bobcats 125-96 on Friday night to stop a five-game losing streak.
Anthony made 23 of 35 shots, one when he leapt from halfcourt to beat the halftime buzzer, and even added 13 rebounds in the NBA’s highest-scoring performance this season.
Anthony had 56 after three quarters, bettering Kevin Durant’s previous season high of 54, and stayed in for the first few minutes of the fourth to break Bernard King’s Knicks record of 60 points and Kobe Bryant’s arena record of 61.
“I made history tonight, with the performance, but just to be a part of that group of people, like I said, there’s only a small group of people that knows what that zone feels like and tonight I was one of them,” Anthony said.
• Durant sits against Celtics: Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, the NBA’s leading scorer, was scratched from the lineup against the Boston Celtics because of a right shoulder injury.
Thunder coach Scott Brooks said before the game, which Oklahoma City won 101-83, that he did not know how long Durant would be out.
• Pacers rally past Kings: Paul George scored eight of his 36 points in overtime and the visiting Indiana Pacers overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the Sacramento Kings 116-111.
Marcus Thornton scored 42 points and hit seven 3-pointers for the Kings. Isaiah Thomas scored 38, tying a career high.
• T-wolves edge Warriors: Kevin Martin hit a step-back jumper with 8.4 seconds left, lifting the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Golden State Warriors 121-120 in Oakland, Calif., for their third straight victory. Stephen Curry had 33 points and 15 assists for the Warriors.
• Broken hand sidelines Leonard: Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard will miss 3-4 weeks with a broken bone in his right hand.
Spieth shoots 63, leads Farmers
Golf: Jordan Spieth again shot a 9-under 63 at Torrey Pines in San Diego, giving him a one-shot lead over Stewart Cink going into the weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Defending champion Tiger Woods shot a 71, nine shots behind. Moscow’s Chris Williams was also at 1-under.
Phil Mickelson withdrew after shooting a 1-over 73 because of muscle pain in his back.
• Korda birdies way to lead: Jessica Korda took the second-round lead in the season-opening Bahamas LPGA Classic, birdieing four of her last seven holes in high wind for a 7-under 66 in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Paula Creamer was a stroke back after a 65.
• Tie atop Qatar leaderboard: England’s Steve Webster shot a 2-under 70 for a share of the third-round lead with Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello in the Qatar Masters in Doha, Qatar.
Mura wins Four Continents
Winter sports: Takahito Mura of Japan won the Four Continents gold medal in Taipei, Taiwan, despite placing second to figure skating compatriot Takahiko Kozuka in the free skate.
In pairs, Chinese couple Wenjing Sui and Cong Han retained their lead in the free skate.
• Neureuther takes slalom: Felix Neureuther of Germany won the slalom of the classic Hahnenkamm event in heavy snow in Kitzbuehel, Austria, after first-run leader Marcel Hirscher failed to finish.
• Hoefl-Riesch pads lead: Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany won a shortened downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, to extend her overall World Cup lead.
Nadal cruises into Aussie final
Miscellany: Rafael Nadal continued his dominant streak over Roger Federer to reach the Australian Open final for the third time, beating the 17-time major winner 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-3 Friday to set up a final against No. 8-seeded Stan Wawrinka. Nadal now has won 23 of his 33 matches against Federer, including nine of 11 in the majors.
• Reporter pleads not guilty to harassing WHL player: A freelance journalist from British Columbia charged with threatening to kill her junior hockey player boyfriend has pleaded not guilty to felony harassment.
Tieja MacLaughlin appeared in court in Kennewick. She is accused of threatening Tri-City Americans player Jackson Playfair.