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WIth 9 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter things began to get heated up between players Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett, a fight broke out between players on the court. After the fight was broken up, words were still being exchanged until the end of the game. Carmelo wasn't finished though, after the game he attempted to find Garnett in the locker rooms.

The repercussions led to Melo being suspended for one game. According to the NBA, Carmelo will serve his suspension on January 10th when the Knicks face the Pacers. A rep for the league released a statement, saying, "There are no circumstances in which it is acceptable to confront an opponent after a game."

Before the brawl
The rivalry between the Celtics and Knicks have been felt for years, before the two teams even stepped onto the court you could feel the tension. Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett jawed from baseline to baseline as things began to heat up. Taunts were being felt throughout the game as it heated up, Pierce who was in foul trouble couldn't be relied on to put the game away, however he found a way to hit a jumper with 45 seconds to go and blew a kiss towards the crowd to put the Celtics up by six.

The game, like many previous meetings between the two teams, the Knicks wanted to get off to there stylistic offense on the break and Celtics attempting to dominant the defensive end of the floor. The score was quite even as the Knicks were up 2 points at half time with Carmelo Anthony heating up in the second quarter. The Celtics then answered, going into the fourth quarter with a 4 point lead. Things began to heat up Boston led by four when Anthony and Garnett became extra physical with each other on a Boston possession that ended with a turnover with 9:03 remaining. Anthony followed him all the way to midcourt as they jawed at each other following the play, leading to technical fouls on both players.

Paul Pierce scored 23 points. Kevin Garnett notched a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. JR Smith led the Knicks with 24 points. Tyson Chandler recorded a double-double.

Altercation
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after the game "I'm going to let you all figure that one out. I'm going to stay out of that," Rivers said. "If it was the playoffs I'd tell on him, but since it's not I'm going to just be quiet.", and Kevin Garnett said after the game, "Listen, heat of the battle, man. Guys go back and forth. He's trying to get his team to go, I'm trying to get my team to go, both teams are colliding, not to mention that it's the Knicks and the Celtics." "Just what it is, man."

'Melo had said KG insulted him on the court and said things that "crossed the line." There are reports that KG said Anthony's wife "tastes like Honey Nut Cheerios" ... but neither player has confirmed exactly what words were exchanged.

Aftermath
After Monday night's Celtics game against the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony was so incensed at All-NBA agitator Kevin Garnett that he reportedly stationed himself outside the Celtics' locker room and later lingered by the team bus. Anthony had to be turned back by security guards as he walked towards the Celtics locker room after the game and had to be turned back. After the teams had changed, he was reported to be waiting by the Celtics team bus for Garnett. Sources say he did not want to fight, just talk.