2013 NBA Playoffs

New York, NY

Carmelo Anthony scored eight of his game-high 36 points in the final period to carry the New York Knicks to an 85-78 win Saturday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks defense also played a key part in the victory, holding the Celtics to two field goals in the first six minutes and just eight points in the final period.

Anthony shot just 13-for-29 from the field but grabbed six rebounds and four steals while J.R. Smith provided the scoring punch off the bench with 15 points for the Knicks.

Raymond Felton tallied 13 points, four rebounds and six assists while Kenyon Martin had 10 points and nine rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench for New York.

Jeff Green led the Celtics with 26 points on 8-for-15 shooting, Paul Pierce had 21 and Avery Bradley tallied 15.

Kevin Garnett was limited to eight points on 4-for-12 shooting but had nine rebounds and four assists while the Celtics drew just four points - all from Courtney Lee -- from their reserves.

Overall, the Celtics had a better shooting percentage, making 27 of 65 attempts for 41.5 percent compared to the Knicks' 40.5 clip. The Celtics also made all of their 19 foul shots but committed 20 turnovers that the Knicks turned into 21 points.

The Celtics were ahead by 70-67 at the start of the final period but the Knicks opened with a 12-4 run to take a 79-74 lead with six minutes left.

Pierce made a 14-foot jumper to bring the Celtics within three but Anthony answered to back-to-back jumpers to put the game away with 1:21 remaining.

The Knicks gun for a 2-0 lead Tuesday before Boston hosts Game 3 Friday in the Celtics' first home game since Boston Marathon bombings that killed three people.

 

 

 

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Carmelo Anthony Scores 36 as Knicks Defeat Celtics