2013 NBA Playoffs

New York, NY

Jeff Green scored 18 points while Brandon Bass and Jason Terry had 17 apiece to carry the Boston Celtics to a 92-86 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series at Madison Square Garden.

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce added 16 points each for the Celtics, who can bring the series to a Game 7 with a victory Friday at TD Garden. Garnett also grabbed18 boards for the Boston.

If the Celtics win the last two games of the series, they will become the first team to recover from a 0-3 hole in the playoffs.

The Celtics made 32 of 70 attempts from the field for 45.7 percent and displayed more hustle in the shaded lane, grabbing 41 rebounds compared to the Knicks' 39. Boston also issued more assists, 20-13.

The Celtics also caught New York in a funk, with the Knicks shooting just 32-for-81 from the field, including 5-for-22 from beyond the arc.

Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points but shot just 8-for-24 from the field while J.R. Smith scored 14 points on 3-for-14 shooting in his return from a one-game suspension for elbowing Jason Terry in Game 3.

Raymond Felton added 21 points and four assists, Iman Shumpert had 12 markers and Tyson Chandler had eight points, 11 boards and three steals for the Knicks.

Two foul shots by Smith and a jumper by Felton put the Knicks ahead by 32-26 in the second period but the Celtics took the lead for good after back-to-back baskets by Garnett.

In the third, a three-pointer by Pierce gave the Celtics a 52-44 lead but the Knicks countered with a 10-4 blast to trim the gap to two.

The Celtics, powered by a combined 11 points from Pierce and Terry, unleashed a 13-6 finishing kick to grab a 69-60 cushion entering the fourth period.

The Celtics opened the fourth with a 6-0 blast, extending their lead to 75-60, with nine minutes to play.

However, the Knicks came within 88-83 with 1:05 remaining after a 7-0 run but Garnett made two foul shots and a layup to keep New York at bay.

 

 

 

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Jeff Green Scores 18 as Celtics Close in on Knicks