UNCASVILLE, Conn.— Andrea Bargnani is hurt again, but his absence didn't slow the Knicks' triangle offense. The impact of Bargnani's buddy, new point guard Jose Calderon, was finally felt in a big way Saturday night at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Calderon put on a show in the first half, scoring seven straight points — all from long range — to ignite the Knicks after a slow start in a 96-80 preseason victory over the Celtics to even their record at 1-1.
Calderon was 4-of-8 in 16 minutes of the first half, scoring all nine of his points to go with four rebounds. Calderon only played the first few minutes of the second half and finished with zero turnovers and was a plus-11. After committing 28 turnovers in their hellish opener Wednesday in Hartford, the Knicks had just 18 Saturday.
Displaying what Phil Jackson envisioned when he traded for Calderon in late June, the Spaniard was throwing crisp outlet passes and getting the fans out of their seats with one wonderful pump fake that had Brandon Bass of the Celtics flying into the air. Calderon then calmly sank the jumper with Bass out of the play.
Before the game, Calderon was asked if he could be the difference-maker following last season's misery now that alleged weak link Raymond Felton plies his trade in Dallas.
"I don't know if it's going to be because of me,'' Calderon said. "I'm trying to do my best for this team to do the best we can to get as far as we can go. It's not only one thing [from last year].''
Carmelo Anthony scored 16 points and got hot during the second quarter when the Knicks went on a 13-2 run. Anthony had 10 points by halftime, hitting two straight 3-pointers. He also whipped a bullet pass to Quincy Acy on a fast break for an easy dunk as the Knicks took a 53-47 halftime lead.
"We haven't broken the tip of the iceberg with this offense for me," Anthony said. "It was day and night from the first game to tonight."
The Knicks didn't have Bargnani, who missed the game with a hamstring strain, and their offense actually looked better. Bargnani had started the opener, but coach Derek Fisher went with Quincy Acy over Amar'e Stoudemire on Saturday.
Calderon believes he can be the Italian's healer this season. Calderon said he envisions the 7-foot Italian. his teammate in Toronto, having his career year in 2014-15.
Bargnani had started at power forward in the preseason opener, his first game action since late January when he suffered a season-ending torn elbow ligament.
"If you're talented, know how to play basketball, I think this system will find the right spots for him,'' Calderon said. "He'll be able to be more comfortable and able to play hopefully the best basketball of his career.''
Knicks coach Derek Fisher doesn't expect Bargnani, who was injured in Friday's practice, to miss much time.
"A little bit of tightness in the hamstring,'' Fisher said. "Practice was pretty intense. I think waking up this morning a little tightness in the hamstring. Our medical staff thought it would be good to get him extra day's rest.''
Calderon and Bargnani played nearly seven seasons together with the Raptors
"We talk all the time, text each other all the time,'' Calderon said. "When you play with a guy seven years, he's more than a teammate. You start getting closer. He was one of first to text me [after the Knicks trade], 'Hey amigo, happy for you to be with me here again.' ''
As a former first overall pick, Bargani has been under heavy scrutiny since his rookie year.
"It doesn't matter what they say,'' Calderon said. "It's what you say about yourself.''
Calderon was asked if Bargnani is similar in style to Dirk Nowitzki, his Dallas running mate.
"Similar moves, kind of,'' Calderon said. "Both can shoot from high up there. They're always open … and shoot from way out. Tough to contest those shots.''
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