Entering the night 14 points behind Moses Malone for ninth all-time in scoring, it wasn’t unreasonable to think Carmelo Anthony might need multiple games to further bolster his resume and move one spot higher on the career points list.
Anthony, though, had no interest in meekly inching past Malone on Sunday.
The 37-year-old turned back the clock in front of the rowdy Staples Center faithful and the hosts needed every bit of his vintage performance, edging out the Grizzlies 121-118 behind 28 points from Anthony.
“Carmelo Anthony was awesome tonight,” head coach Frank Vogel said after the game.