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Boston Celtics shoot for their fifth straight win tonight, when they welcome the
New York Knicks to TD Banknorth Garden.
Boston posted its fourth straight victory with Tuesday's 104-97 triumph over the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse. Paul Pierce had 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead Boston, which again played without center Kevin Garnett. Garnett has been sidelined with an abdominal injury and is out indefinitely.
Ray Allen added 23 points for the Celtics, while Leon Powe finished with 16 points and nine boards. Rajon Rondo contributed 12 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in a winning effort.
The Atlantic Division-leading Celtics have won four in a row at home and are 22-4 in Beantown this season. They will hit the road for five games at Denver, Golden State, Phoenix, Portland and the Clippers after Wednesday's game.
New York will resume a four-game road trip tonight and is 5-19 away from the Big Apple this season. The Knicks opened the trek with a 99-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center, as Jamal Crawford poured in 30 points and Malik Rose hit the go-ahead basket and the eventual game-winner.
Rose's layup put the Knicks ahead 97-96 with 2:35 left, while his jumper with 1:53 to go pushed the lead to 99-96. Fred Jones scored 18 points for the Knicks, who continued to play without point guard Stephon Marbury. The New York Post reported Saturday that Marbury will miss the remainder of the season with a left ankle injury. Marbury had already missed considerable time due to three leaves of absence following the death of his father prior to sustaining the ankle injury.
David Lee finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for New York, which will also visit Washington and Philadelphia on the current trip. On the injury front for the Knicks, guard Nate Robinson (illness) is questionable for this evening's contest.
Wednesday's game between Boston and New York is the third of four matchups this season. The Celtics have won the first two meetings, four straight overall and 12 of the last 15 encounters.
New York has lost two straight after winning its last two in Beantown.
