Knicks Can’t Beat Buzzer or Celtics

The Knicks and the Boston Celtics exchanged points like playoff foes in an environment fit for that type of game. After Paul Pierce’s jumper 


provided the Celtics with a 118-116 edge with 0.4 of a second remaining, Landry Fields inbounded the ball to Stoudemire.


Stoudemire’s shot from beyond the 3-point line reached the bottom of the net. Behind him, the Knicks celebrated an apparent victory. But the 


officiating crew of Bill Kennedy, Courtney Kirkland and Leroy Richardson waved the shot off, a decision confirmed by replay as the Knicks waited 


nearby.


“That was the play that was designed,” Stoudemire said. “I got the ball at the top and I just shot. I wasn’t sure if it was good or not, but it felt good."


The Knicks (16-10) witnessed the end of an eight-game winning streak, their longest in 16 years, in heartbreaking fashion. The Celtics, led by 


Pierce’s 32 points, won their 11th straight game.


Stoudemire flexed his franchise record to nine games with at least 30 points by scoring 39. But the joyride that mattered most came to a 


screeching halt.


On Boston’s final possession, Pierce drifted to a familiar spot — at the free-throw elbow — and was matched against Stoudemire on a defensive 


switch. He hit the jumper over Stoudemire’s outstretched arm and smiled as he ran up the court and was almost tackled by his teammate Nate 


Robinson, a former Knicks guard.


“I actually thought Amar’e’s shot counted, one last time there for a minute, especially after all the theatrics,” said Pierce, who bowed at midcourt 


after the game officially ended.


One of the Knicks’ most anticipated regular-season games in years went came down to the final moments. Kevin Garnett tied the score at 113-113 


with 1 minute 29 seconds remaining. The Celtics returned the ball to the Knicks on Rajon Rondo’s turnover, but Stoudemire missed a jumper.


The Celtics (20-4) allowed their most points all season and appeared out of sorts. But Ray Allen, who had 26 points, hit an open 3-pointer from the 


corner that put the Celtics ahead, 116-113, with a little more than a minute remaining.


Danilo Gallinari answered with a 3-point play that tied the score.


The pace benefited the Knicks most of the evening. Gallinari arrived after a scoreless first half with 11 points in an outburst, punctuated by a 3-


pointer and a nifty reverse dunk. He finished with 20 points.


With the knowledge that Raymond Felton had earlier banked in a running 29-footer to beat the halftime buzzer, Pierce fouled Felton as he 


attempted a 3-pointer to end the third quarter. Felton made all three free throws and provided the Knicks with a 90-83 lead entering the fourth 


quarter.


Most (rightfully) pegged Stoudemire as the Knicks’ most significant off-season acquisition. But Celtics Coach Doc Rivers raved about Felton and 


compared his intensity to Garnett’s.


“The most important part about Felton is how competitive he is,” Rivers said. “He’s the most competitive player on that team each night. That 


doesn’t mean he played well, but give me the guy that competes each night.”


Stoudemire dominated early. He nearly kept his scoring streak alive with his first-half output alone by scoring 23 points and the Knicks’ first 7 of 


the game. The Celtics refused to send double teams and sacrificed the rookie Semih Erden on Stoudemire as their defensive lamb.


Stoudemire emphatically dunked early over Erden. Moments later, Garnett missed a point-blank dunk, to the crowd’s delight.


The Knicks are in the midst of a six-day stretch that poses their largest challenge to date. They preserved their winning streak against Carmelo 


Anthony’s Nuggets, and LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Miami visit on Friday.


The Knicks entered Wednesday having lost 13 of their last 15 games against Boston. They played them evenly through much of their second game 


of the season before losing in Boston by 4 points. In that game, Rondo had 24 assists.


On Wednesday, the Knicks took the court with what they perceived as a transformed team.


Knicks Coach Mike D’Antoni did not go as far as labeling the matchup a test. It was a meaningful game against a quality team. Then again, it was 


one among 82 games. “Maybe,” D’Antoni said, “a pop quiz.”


REBOUNDS


The Knicks voted unanimously at practice Tuesday to authorize decertification of the National Basketball Players Association, part of a preliminary 


process that is circulating leaguewide. The dissolution of the union would be used only as a near last resort to combat a lockout.