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Celtics next in line for big performance at MSG

Feb 6, 2009 - 11:20 AM Boston (41-10) at New York (21-27) 7:30 p.m. EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics should have no problem bouncing back from a tough loss with the way opponents have been performing at Madison Square Garden this week.

The Celtics try to put an overtime loss in a rematch of last season's NBA Finals behind them when they visit the New York Knicks on Friday.

Ray Allen scored 22 points and Paul Pierce added 21 as six players scored in double figures for Boston on Thursday. It wasn't enough as the Los Angeles Lakers escaped with a 110-109 overtime victory, snapping the Celtics' 12-game win streak.

It's likely one of Boston's "Big Three" of Allen, Pierce and Kevin Garnett, who fouled out with 4:22 left in the fourth quarter Thursday, will have a huge game against the Knicks considering the trend that has been forming at MSG.

Two nights after Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant set a record for the most points scored at the "World's Most Famous Arena" by pouring in 61 in a nine-point victory over the Knicks, LeBron James posted 52 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 107-102 triumph.

New York had won six of its previous seven games before dropping the pair of decisions as a result of the stunning performances.