FINAL: Celtics 110, Knicks 101
Celtics pull one out (FINAL: Celtics, 110, Knicks 101)
It wasn’t easy, but the Celtics pulled out a hard-fought victory against the upstart Knicks without Kevin Garnett tonight at the TD Banknorth Garden.
Boston proved it could match New York’s tempo, shooting 53 percent in scoring 110 points. The Celtics actually held the Knicks below their season average of 105.7 points, limiting New York to 44-percent shooting.
Paul Pierce led five Celtics in double figures with 21 points. Kendrick Perkins had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Rajon Rondo had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Wilson Chandler led the Knicks with 23 points.
We’ll have postgame notes and quotes from the Garden shortly.
Tough call, good outcome (1:00 fourth quarter, Celtics, 107-99)
Kendrick Perkins was called for an offensive foul on the rebounding action, but the Knicks missed a three on the ensuing possession with a chance to get the game within a basket. Brian Scalabrine hit a 3-pointer on the other end to nail what could be the dagger.
Benches (2:08 fourth quarter, Celtics, 103-99)
The game has gotten really tight here, with Wilson Chandler on the line with a chance to make this a one-possession game. Interesting that the Celtic bench is on its feet cheering on every play, while the Knicks’ bench is not.
Gonna be a tight finish.
Timeout, Celtics (5:41 fourth quarter, Celtics, 94-88)
Here’s that Knicks run. A bucket by David Lee has the Knicks right back in this thing and has the building quiet. Look for the Celtics to go to Paul Pierce down the stretch here.
Big Baby has five (8:37 fourth quarter, Celtics, 92-82)
Glen Davis just picked up his fifth personal foul, which could be a problem because the Celtics lack frontcourt depth without Kevin Garnett. Brian Scalabrine has four fouls, Kendrick Perkins has two, and Leon Powe somehow has 0. The Celtics have scored just 3 points this quarter.
Robinson becoming a loose cannon (END third quarter, Celtics, 89-77)
Nate Robinson hit a 3-pointer to get the Knicks to within 8 points, then decided that wasn’t good enough and proceeded to tell everyone in the building about the shot he made. He was given a technical, and the Knicks promptly lost any momentum Robinson’s shot gave them to begin with.
The Celtics have a 12-point lead, and Mike D’Antoni’s just been T’d up as well. Should be a decent final quarter here with at least one more run from the New Yorkers.
Two treys for Scal (1:38 third quarter, Celtics, 82-70)
Brian Scalabrine hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Celtics back up by double figures when the Knicks were getting closer.
The chants from the rafters are back, but I don’t think Scal would complain about it this time.
C’s in control (5:44 third quarter, Celtics, 71-58)
Paul Pierce hasn’t sat down, and the Celtics have added 4 points to their lead since the break.
Way to go, Scal (9:09 third quarter, Celtics, 65-50)
Brian Scalabrine just drew an offensive foul on Zach Randolph on the rebounding action, prompting Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau to yell, “Way to go, Scal” from the bench.
SECOND QUARTER
Solid lead at the break (END second quarter, Celtics, 56-47)
The Celtics are looking pretty strong even without Kevin Garnett tonight. Boston shot 59 percent in the first half and held the Knicks to 44 percent shooting. Leon Powe has 14 points on 6 of 7 shooting for the C’s, with all of his points coming on some tough moves in the paint.
Paul Pierce rode the bench the entire second quarter. No injury to report, so it looks like Doc Rivers is just saving Pierce for the second half, where he’ll definitely be needed without Kevin Garnett on the floor for Boston.
Wilson Chandler is leading the Knicks with 15 points.
A scuffle (4:19, second quarter, Celtics, 47-40)
Double-technicals for Leon Powe and New York’s Zach Randolph after the two exhanged words under the basket near the Knicks bench. Randolph had to be held back by Quentin Richardson, while Eddie House was jarring with any Knick he could find. Ray Allen told him to cool it.
It’s the Knicks.
Nice little run (6:10, second quarter, Celtics, 45-37)
A 6-0 run for the Celtics, with a couple of buckets by Glen Davis and one by Leon Powe.
A real barn-burner (8:50, second quarter, Celtics, 35-32)
Something tells me we’re going to have a decent game here tonight. The Celtics are back in the lead thanks to their continued hot shooting, but the Knicks aren’t going away. Leon Powe and Glen Davis are manning the frontcourt for the C’s. Ray Allen is the lone member of the big three on the floor. It’s times like these you remember just how much of a luxury it is to have three superstars playing on the same team.
FIRST QUARTER
Roller coaster quarter (END first quarter, Knicks 28-26)
The Celtics jumped out to an early lead, the Knicks came storming back, and the Celtics made the deficit manageable, all before the end of the first quarter. The Celtics are shooting 56 percent, but 7 turnovers have killed them. So has 52 percent shooting for the Knicks. Wilson Chandler (27th pick for the Knicks in 2007) has 10 points for the Knicks, while Quentin Richardson has 9.
Big run for Knicks (1:51 first quarter, Knicks 29-19)
The Knicks are on an 18-4 run, a run which roughly coincides with Brian Scalabrine being removed from the game, plus a couple of minutes.
Powe in for Scal (4:46 first quarter, Celtics 15-13)
Brian Scalabrine departs after 7-plus minutes of action, 0 points, 1 rebound, and 0 turnovers.
Turnover trouble (5:58 first quarter, Celtics 15-12)
How do you keep a team in a game despite hot shooting? By turning the ball over. The Celtics have 4 turnovers here in the early going, which is why this game is close despite the C’s shooting 75 percent.
C’s clicking on offense (8:33 first quarter, Celtics 11-5)
The Celtics have made 5 of their first 6 shots in jumping out to a six-point lead here early. Paul Pierce has made both of his field goals, including a three-pointer.
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