But last night at TD Banknorth Garden, the Celtics were a team back from the brink, unwilling to give up against the New York Knicks. It was a surprising turn of events considering Boston squandered a 23-point, second-quarter advantage and found itself trading the lead with New York late in the fourth quarter. It was even more surprising when Gerald Green and Al Jefferson asserted themselves down the stretch and led the Celtics to a 102-94 victory.
If the Celtics cannot reach the postseason, they want to enjoy the role of spoiler. Even with an abysmal third quarter that nearly cost Boston the game, there was something enjoyable about the team earning its second win in a row (it defeated Houston at the Toyota Center Monday) and its second consecutive win at home (it defeated Milwaukee before All-Star break).
"We had a team that was desperate over there, who's trying to get to the playoffs," said coach Doc Rivers. "They made a desperate run, made every shot. We held our own and then fought back and won the game. The same thing happened the other night in Houston. Those are great things, and they give me an opportunity to teach."
Boston had its 57-37 halftime lead disappear midway through the third quarter when New York staged a 24-7 run. The Knicks attacked inside and outside, making up ground with layups, dunks, free throws, and 3-pointers. Quentin Richardson proved particularly dangerous from 3-point range in the quarter (3 for 4), and Jared Jeffries made the most of his opportunities inside (4 for 4). When Richardson knocked down a 3-pointer with 24.3 seconds remaining in the third, the Knicks closed within 74-73.
"It was a settle-down [speech at halftime]," said New York coach Isiah Thomas. "I knew we were capable of getting back into the game."
New York took the lead for the first time (81-79) when Stephon Marbury nailed his second consecutive 3-pointer, with 9:18 remaining in the fourth quarter. That was when the crowd of 17,003 began booing. Rivers let the Celtics know the game was far from over, telling his players, "We made this mess. Now let's clean it up."
