IN THE STREETS & ON THE WEB

CARMELO ANTHONY WAITING TO BEAT UP KEVIN GARNETT AFTER THE GAME!

The Knicks (23-11) hold a six-game lead over the Celtics (17-17) but they became unglued in losing the first of four meetings against their bitter rivals. Anthony had a nightmarish game, shooting 6-for-26, including 2-for-10 in the fourth quarter. He finished with 20 points and five fouls in 37 minutes.

Anthony and Garnett battled in the post on several possessions in the fourth quarter and Anthony put himself in danger of being ejected when he slapped down on the ball after he was called for fouling Garnett. Rivers was clearly upset that Anthony avoided expulsion.

“Melo’s a very fiery guy, believe it or not,” J.R. Smith said. “He doesn’t like to lose and he doesn’t like when people come up in his face. So it is what it is.”

Smith led the Knicks with 24 points and played the last 69 seconds with a deep cut over his right eye after being inadvertently head-butted by Avery Bradley. The cut required 11 stitches to close.

The Knicks blew a 10-point second-half lead to a Boston team that won its third straight. Paul Pierce, a renowned Knicks killer, scored 23 points while Bradley, Rondo’s replacement, scored 13 points and Jeff Green added 16. Amar’e Stoudemire had his best game, scoring 13 points and giving the Knicks quality minutes in the fourth quarter. Tyson Chandler added 13 points and 17 rebounds.

Garnett, the agitator and warrior all rolled into one, had 19 points and 10 rebounds and hit two free throws late to ice the win. Garnett is always active with his hands and mouth and he did just enough to get under Anthony’s skin. In fact, when the buzzer sounded, Anthony turned to the tunnel near the Knicks’ bench and exited rather than cross paths with the Celtics.

Part of the Garden “transformation” includes the home and visiting benches being positioned opposite the tunnels both teams exit, which is a recipe for disaster. When Anthony made the turn toward the Celtics’ tunnel, two Knicks security guards were quick to follow him.

“I’m going to defend Melo and our players and this team,” Woodson said. “In the heat of the battle you’ve got to hang in there and you’ve got to keep playing. We can’t let the officials affect how we play. It was heated both ways. I thought they were a little bit out of control and reaching, too. They made the plays they needed to make to secure the win.”

Like he was really gonna do something with all the security guards & cops