Carmelo Anthony's debut at the Garden was a huge hit.
Anthony had 27 points and 10 rebounds, hitting a pair of clutch buckets down the stretch in front of a crowd that cheered his every move as the Knicks beat the Bucks 114-108 in his New York debut and first MSG appearance.
Anthony made only 10 of 25 shots but was at his best in the closing minutes, helping New York hold on after Amar'e Stoudemire fouled out.
"I'm just glad I got this game out of my system," Anthony said, adding the last two days were both "hectic" and a "roller coaster."
Chauncey Billups, who came with Anthony from Denver in Tuesday's blockbuster trade, finished with 21 points and eight assists as the Knicks won their third straight. Toney Douglas scored 23 points and Stoudemire had 19.
With fans chanting for both Anthony and Billups in the final minute, the Knicks matched their win total from last season with their 29th victory.
Before the game, with the building appearing completely full before tipoff, fans roared as quotes from Anthony appeared on the overhead video board before introductions, noting he was born in Brooklyn and wanted to be former Knicks star Bernard King.
Anthony was then introduced first to a raucous ovation, and quickly earned his first points as a Knick on an offensive rebound with 9:37 left in the first quarter.
"I never experienced anything like that before," Anthony said.
