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Robinson, Knicks upend defending champion Celtics

Oct 18, 2008 - 2:17 AM By Brian Devine PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Nate Robinson scored 19 points to help the New York Knicks defeat the Boston Celtics, 104-97, in preseason action Friday night.

Zach Randolph scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting for the Knicks, who averaged 96.9 points last season. Under new coach Mike D'Antoni, New York has hit the century mark in each of its four preseason games and are averaging 108.5 points.

Robinson banked in one of his three 3-pointers as the shot clock expired on the Knicks' first possession of the fourth quarter to highlight his stellar night.

With the game tied at 66-66 midway through the third quarter, New York went on a 13-2 run behind a pair of shots from the arc by Chris Duhon. The Knicks improved to 2-2 in the preseason and next will face the New Jersey Nets on Monday.

Eddie House scored 16 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter for Boston, which had won its last four preseason games. The sharp-shooting House went 6-of-9 on 3-pointers.

Paul Pierce chipped in with 15 points for the Celtics, who were playing their first game in the TD Banknorth Garden since their victory over the Los Angeles Lakers to win their 17th championship last June.

Starting point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a sprained right ankle in the third quarter and did not return to the game for Boston.