Sorry Spike! Celts Edge Knicks 118-116

Sorry Spike! Celts Edge Knicks 118-116

Paul Pierce said it wasn’t a rivalry. The New York Knicks and their fans certainly treated it like one.

In what was a classic NBA game at historic Madison Square Garden, the Boston Celtics trailed most of the game, but managed to rally late in the fourth quarter to beat the New York Knicks 118-116 on a Pierce 12-foot jumper with 0.4 seconds remaining.

Both teams entered the game on a high with Boston winning 10 in a row and the Knicks 8 straight. Tickets for the game were going for hundreds over face value as Knicks fans viewed this as one of the biggest games the franchise has played since Patrick Ewing played in New York.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

The Celtics led 7-5 just 1:30 into the game and did not lead again until Ray Allen (26 pts, 4-5 3pt) nailed a three with 1:01 to go in the fourth putting Boston up 116-113.

As they did all game, the Knicks had an answer. Danilo Gallinari made a three the old fashioned way with the hoop and the harm with :50 seconds to go knotting things up at 116. Gallinari scored all 20 of his points in the second half for New York.

Rajon Rondo (10 pts, 14 assists) made a poor pass to Ray Allen on Boston’s next possession turning the ball over to New York with :35 seconds to go.

While the Knicks lost out on LeBron James during the offseason, they did get Amare Stoudemire who was sensational. Stoudemire scored a game-high 39 points and pulled down 10 rebounds but missed a 4-foot jumper which was contested by Kevin Garnett (20 pts, 13 reb) with :13 seconds to go.

Boston called a timeout to set up a play from mid court with :12 seconds left. The plan was a high screen and roll with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

As Pierce dribbled off of the Garnett screen at the top of the key, Stoudemire left his man Garnett and picked up Pierce as he dribbled just outside the lane on the right side of the floor.

Then, in classic Paul Pierce fashion, he attempted to drive to the basket pushing Stoudemire back. Pierce then stopped on a dime, stepped back and nailed a wide-open 14-foot jumper with 0.4 seconds left putting Boston up by two.

The Knicks called a timeout to in-bound the ball at mid court. They got it in to Stoudemire who drained an uncontested three at the buzzer sending Spike Lee and all Knicks fans into a frenzy.

But, the officials went to the replay which clearly showed that Stoudemire did not release the ball before the clock hit 0.0. The basket was waived off and the Celtics escaped with the hard fought win.

“I thought it was no good,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said of Stoudemire’s attempt at a game-winning three. “I just thought there’s no way you can catch it and turn it with 0.4 on the clock, but I wasn’t sure. But I looked over at Mike Breen and Walt Frazier, and they were the Knick announcers and they said no good so I thought we were in pretty good shape.”

Raymond Felton had 26 points and 14 assists for New York while Wilson Chandler chipped in with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

For the Celtics, Pierce led the way with 32 points and 10 rebounds. Boston played without the injured Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal. With Kendrick Perkins out as well, they started Semih Erden at the center position.

After it was over, Paul Pierce went to center court and bowed to the crowd as he was showered by boos. Pierce taunted Knicks fans before the game by suggesting that it wasn’t a rivalry and did so after with his game-winning shot and mid court antics.

If the Knicks continue to play well this season this may very well develop into a good rivalry which would be great for the NBA. Last night was a great start.