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Randolph, Robinson spark Knicks to victory over Celtics

Oct 23, 2007 - 2:35 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Zach Randolph scored 23 points and Nate Robinson added 20 off the bench as the New York Knicks posted a 94-87 victory over the Boston Celtics in preseason action on Monday.

The win was significant for the Knicks, who were thoroughly routed, 101-61, just five days earlier in Boston.

The emotions from that meeting seemed to resonate throughout this contest as both teams played on edge throughout, including a noteworthy exchange in the middle of the third quarter.

With 4:55 left in the third, Celtics guard Ray Allen drove to the rim, was fouled by Jamal Crawford and fell to the floor. While Allen recovered from the fall, the Celtics and Knicks gathered around him and started to bark at each other.

The gathering ended with Boston forward Paul Pierce grabbing the chin of Robinson before Kevin Garnett got in the middle to play peacemaker. No punches were thrown, but even New York coach Isiah Thomas found his way in the fray before cooler heads prevailed.

David Lee contributed 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks, who snapped a two-game preseason slide.

Pierce scored 29 points and Garnett added 17 to pace the Celtics, who saw their vaunted "Big Three" go scoreless in the final quarter.