The Celtics shot a high percentage from the field in the first half and went into halftime with a slight lead. Carmelo Anthony struggled shooting and it appeared that Boston might actually give the Knicks a game.
It was not to be for the Celtics. Anthony and J.R. Smith caught fire in the second half.. Carmelo scored 34 points while Smith, who was awarded the Sixth Man of the Year award before the game, poured in 19. Smith hit a three from 35 feet away before the buzzer to end the second quarter sounded. Kenyon Martin continued his stellar defensive play. In addition to 11 rebounds, he blocked 4 shots.
Kevin Garnett was in foul trouble early. Head Coach Doc Rivers whined after the game, deeming the foul calls atrocious. He deserves a hefty fine for criticizing the refereeing, but his more egregious crime is simply being wrong. Both of Garnett's early foul calls were completely appropriate. Sometimes a coach will criticize the refs to get future calls in their favor. But Rivers's complaining was misguided here and it will likely serve to hurt his credibility with the refs.
The Knicks jumped out to a double digit lead int he third and the Celtics simply don't have the offensive firepower to have made a comeback. New York won 87-71 and now have a 2-0 lead heading to Boston for Friday night's game.
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