Ray Allen’s three-pointer with 11.6 seconds left gave the Boston Celtics a hard-fought — and hard to take if you are a New York Knicks fans — 87-85 victory over New York in Game 1 of their best-of-seven first-round NBA Playoff series. Boston trailed by 12 at halftime and by five points with 3:37 to play.
Carmelo Anthony of the Knicks missed a long three-point attempt with 1.6 seconds remaining. The Knicks have still not won a playoff game since 2001.
Amare Stoudemire had 28 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Knicks. Stoudemire had 12 of the Knicks 21 fourth-quarter points. Anthony finished with 15, but shot just five-for-18 and had only three points after halftime.
Boston had five players in double figures, led by Allen with 24 points. Paul Pierce had 18, Kevin Garnett 15, center Jermaine O’Neal turned in a strong performance with 12 points and four blocked shots, and Rajon Rondo had 10 points and nine assists.
Game 2 is Tuesday night in Boston at 7 p.m.