New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics (Game 22 of 82)

After New York turned in an explosive 2nd quarter, outscoring Boston 27-39, the defending champions were knocked back on their heels but somehow able to storm back, returning the favor by stalemating the Knicks in the 3rd and running them over in the 4th, erasing a 15 point lead, outdoing New York 38-23.

Kevin Garnett had 20 points and 13 rebounds, but what mattered most tonight was the last of his 3 blocks. As the Knicks rallied back on the road, Jason Kidd and Carmelo Anthony knocked down a pair of three-pointers to narrow Boston's lead. With defensive specialist, Shane Battier, in his face, 'Melo pump faked his way to the rim, only to be rejected by "The Big Ticket", who blocked the superstar at the basket. Boston corralled the rebound and the exciting showdown soon belonged to the Celtics, 106-113 at home.

In the loss, Carmelo Anthony had 30 points and 7 assists, fueled in the paint by Amar'e Stoudemire (23 points, 18 rebounds), and hit some clutch shots despite the odds and several Celtics contesting them. Jason Kidd had 14 points, Raymond Felton had 21, and Marcus Camby pulled down 13 rebounds.

On the winning end, Paul Pierce had 21 points and 7 rebounds, Rajon Rondo had 20, Roy Hibbert had 10 points and 7 rebounds as well, and Shane Battier had 10 points and 2 crucial blocks. Gerald Green, Jordan Farmar, Allen Iverson and Eddie House combined for 21 points off the bench.