April 2013 | Page 4 of 32

BOSTON — Carmelo Anthony has never swept a playoff series in his life.

As the whole world knows, he has been bounced from the first round of the playoffs eight times in nine tries.

Yet after scoring 26 points as the Knicks crushed the Celtics, 90-76, in Game 3 at TD Garden to take a commanding 3-0 series lead, Anthony and his teammates stand on the brink of a sweep.

Just two years after being swept out of the first round of the playoffs by these Celtics, Anthony and company can break out the brooms on Sunday afternoon and head back to New York that night looking forward to a week off.

“To accomplish that would be spectacular, it would be a dream come true,” Anthony said. “I never swept anybody.”

Articles, Rutgers

Eli Carter Down to Two Options

April 26, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

Rutgers guard Eli Carter will land at one of two locations.

“Down to Maryland & Florida!! #Decisions,” he Tweeted Friday.

The 6-foot-2 guard will visit Florida Sunday/Monday, and sources said he would visit Maryland after that.

If Carter selects Florida, he would be following in the footsteps of another former St. Anthony guard, Mike Rosario, who spent two seasons at Rutgers before transferring to play for Billy Donovan.

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UConn

With Napier, Boatright, Daniels Returning to UConn, Huskies Should Be Strong

April 26, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

Shabazz Napier , Ryan Boatright and DeAndre Daniels are all returning to UConn and that bodes well for the Huskies’ chances at a postseason run in 2014.

UConn was banned from the postseason this year because of sub-standard APR scores but can now look to making it back after settling into the American Athletic Conference that will also feature defending NCAA champion Louisville, Memphis, Temple, Cincinnati, SMU and Rutgers, among others.

“We think we have a great team for next season,” Napier said, “and we’re excited about playing for a conference championship and in the NCAA Tournament.”

Napier was not projected to go drafted and scouts thought he should return to school. His decision follows those of Louisville guard Russ Smith and Creighton forward Doug McDermott on Thursday.

Articles, Knicks

Kenyon Martin Could’ve Been a Celtic

April 26, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

BOSTON — Carmelo Anthony doesn’t even want to imagine what it would be like if Kenyon Martin were a Celtic.

“Oh, it would’ve been tough, I mean I don’t really want to think about that,” Anthony said here Friday ahead of the Knicks’ 90-76 victory in Game 3. “I’d rather talk about him with us.”

Martin reiterated that his agent had discussions with the Celtics before he signed his initial 10-day contract with the Knicks in February.

“I didn’t talk to them per se, my agent did,” said Martin, who was out of the NBA until the Knicks gave him a shot. “But it didn’t happen so it doesn’t matter at this point. I’m a Knick.”

Knicks

Melo Wants to Reverse Unpleasant Memories of Boston

April 26, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

BOSTON — The last time Carmelo Anthony was here for a playoff series, the Knicks lost the first two games en route to being swept by the Celtics in a first-round series in 2011.

Now, two years later, the shoe is on the other foot and the Knicks could return the favor by winning Games 3 and 4 before what is expected to be an emotional crowd that will take in the Celtics’ first home playoff game since the Boston Marathon bombings.

“Well, the sweep, anytime you get swept, that leaves a bitter taste. It’s a bad memory knowing the situation we was in as a team at that particular time,” Anthony said here after shootaround on Friday.

“Nobody wants to get swept and getting swept leaves a bitter taste, bad feeling. We remember that, I remember that.”

Articles, Louisville