Celtics overcome 30 points from Stoudemire to defeat Knicks
Amar’e Stoudemire had an impressive home debut for the New York Knicks but it was partly spoiled by Paul Pierce.
Pierce, playing on his 33rd birthday, made the game-winning jumper with eight seconds remaining to lift the Boston Celtics (4-1) over the New York Knicks (1-2) 104-101 last night at Madison
Square Garden in New York City. As it is the pre-season, Boston coach Doc Rivers had planned to rest his starters. But Pierce, who finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, wanted to make sure the game didn’t go into overtime. He had plans
that evening.
"I got an 11 o'clock reservation I had to make," he said after the game. "I didn't want to stay any longer than I had to, you know what I'm saying? It's my birthday."
Because it was a special occasion, Rivers, who coached the Celtics all the way to a game seven in last year’s NBA Finals before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers, decided to make an exception.
"I didn't plan on extending them and then they wanted to stay in there, they were having fun. Paul said he wanted to win, it was his birthday," said Rivers.
Stoudemire, the Knicks key off-season acquisition, scored 30 points and grabbed five rebounds in his first appearance in front of his home fans. But he, as well as the other Knicks’ starters,
were resting on the bench during the fourth quarter when the Celtics starters clinched it. Stoudemire was happy with his team’s play despite the loss.
"We got out and ran," Stoudemire said. "We definitely didn't wait for those guys to set their defense. We took the ball out. We ran with it with a purpose. We played aggressive. They had
a hard time stopping us."
The Celtics were down eight points halfway through the fourth quarter but rallied to tie the game at 101 apiece after two free throws by Nate Robinson. Neither team scored on the next
three possessions before Pierce sunk the game-winner from just inside the three-point line.
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni wasn’t surprised that Rivers played his starters down the stretch.
"I'm sure a veteran team like that don't go real hard in practice, so they have to have minutes to be in game shape. I'm sure that's why he did it," D'Antoni said.
Ray Allen led the Celtics in scoring with 24 points while Rajon Rondo added 12 points, seven assists, and six steals.
The Knicks got 13 points from Wilson Chandler and 11 from Danilo Gallinari.
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