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'Melo, Novak pace Knicks over Celtics

Apr 18, 2012 - 6:22 AM New York, NY (Sports Network) - Carmelo Anthony had a triple-double, Steve Novak made eight three-pointers and the Knicks defeated the Celtics, 118-110, on Tuesday.

Anthony had 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double while Novak missed just two shots and finished with 25 points. J.R. Smith also scored 25 and Tyson Chandler added 20 points and seven rebounds.

"He's playing like we all thought he could play and it's beautiful to watch him play because he's doing a lot of things on both ends of the floor," Knicks head coach Mike Woodson said about Anthony.

The Knicks moved into sole possession of seventh place in the Eastern Conference with the win, moving a game ahead of the 76ers, who lost to the Pacers earlier Tuesday.

The Celtics would have clinched the Atlantic Division title with a win. They still lead New York by 3 1/2 games and are seeded fourth in the East, four games behind Indiana.

Paul Pierce scored 43 points in the loss, Kevin Garnett had 20, Avery Bradley 17 and Rajon Rondo finished with 13 points and 13 assists.

"I just got into a little groove, but it wasn't enough," said Pierce. "I'd rather win and not play well."

After a back-and-forth first quarter, New York opened up a 21-point lead in the second behind 15 points from Smith and 13 from Novak.

It was 72-53 at the break but the Celtics made it close in the second half. They scored nine straight, getting five from Pierce, midway through the third to get within 10 and trailed 96-84 entering the fourth.

Continuing to chip away, Boston cut its deficit to 112-106 with three minutes to play behind a three from Bradley and four straight points from Pierce. But Novak responded, knocking down a deep trey, then hitting another one after Rondo's bucket for a decisive 118-110 advantage.

Game Notes

As a team, New York made 19-of-32 three-pointers...Rondo has handed out 10- plus assists in 23 straight games -- the longest streak since John Stockton posted 29 straight games from Jan. 25-March 30, 1992.