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House leads Celtics over Knicks

Oct 22, 2008 - 2:20 AM By Larry Fleisher PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Eddie House scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Boston Celtics concluded their preseason with an 101-90 wire-to-wire victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Leon Powe turned in his finest outing of the preseason, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds in 23 minutes. Kevin Garnett played just 19 minutes and added 14 points and nine rebounds as the Celtics finished the preseason with a 6-2 record.

Ray Allen chipped in 12 for Boston, which will begin defense of its first title in 22 years next Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Nate Robinson led the Knicks with 25 points and Stephon Marbury added 14. Marbury started for the first time in place of the struggling Jamal Crawford and played just over 28 minutes. Eddy Curry did not get in the game.

Wilson Chandler remained in the starting lineup as did David Lee and Chris Duhon. Chandler suffered a sprained left knee in the second quarter and did not return.

The Knicks had played decently in their previous two losses but turned in an horrific showing most of the night, especially from 3-point range. They shot 4-of-31 from the arc and 40 percent (31-of-77) overall.

That showing included a point in which they missed 20 straight 3-pointers. Wilson Chandler hit a 3-pointer just over a minute in, and New York did not connect again until Quentin Richardson made one with 5:20 left in the third.

After winning its first four exhibition contests by a combined 10 points, Boston concluded it with a 17-point win over New Jersey Sunday and then turned in an even more dominant showing for the first 36 minutes.

The Celtics turned the game into a rout by opening the second quarter with a 12-2 run. They took a 24-point edge into the break and led by 20 through three before holding off a late charge from New York.

The Knicks were within 99-90 after Robinson's 3-pointer with 1:52 remaining and did not get any closer as they were held under 100 points for the first time in new coach Mike D'Antoni's system that places an emphasis on running.

New York concludes its preseason Friday against the New Jersey Nets and hosts the Miami Heat in its season opener on October 29.