BEFORE his New York Knicks kicked off the NBA’s five-game Christmas Day slate, Carmelo Anthony helped make sure this was a merry Christmas for one family of fans.

    Before taking on the Boston Celtics, the All-Star forward met Jarell Lara — a 17-year-old battling Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare form of cancer that can damage tissue or cause lesions to form in one or more places in the body — in the basement of Madison Square Garden to deliver a timely assist: the gift of a brand new car.

    Jarell’s parents and younger brother shared in the emotional moment, making Anthony their plus-one in a Lara family group hug.

    Anthony handed Jarell the keys to the brand new Kia, giving Jarell’s mother tears of joy as she returned to embrace the Knicks star.

    “I can’t even stop crying,” Jarell’s mother said. “It’s amazing.”

    Jarell underwent 18 months of chemotherapy treatment, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com.

    A new car won’t solve all of the family’s problems, but it might help lighten their load a bit and bring them some joy in a difficult time.

    “This is bigger than sports,” Anthony said.

    “Making a family happy, making a dream come true, giving them a day of happiness.”

    (SD-Agencies)