Anthony scores 27 points in Knicks debut

NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony’s debut on the big stage 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 New York beat the Milwaukee Bucks 114-108 on Wednesday night in his Knicks debut.

Anthony made only 10 of 25 shots but was at his best in the closing minutes, helping New York hold on after fellow superstar Amare Stoudemire fouled out. He matched the third-highest scoring game in a Knicks debut since 1964, just 2 points shy of Keith Van Horn’s 29 on Oct. 29, 2003.

“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 8 assists as the Knicks won their third straight.