The Boston Celtics (28 - 22) defeated the New York Knicks (23 - 28) 97 - 89 on Tuesday. Boston came into Tuesday's contest off a difficult road loss to the Magic on Sunday, in which they gave up an uncharacteristic 119 points. Jae Crowder also entered the night nursing a bruised shin suffered in that contest, a particularly concerning development given that he would be charged with defending Carmelo Anthony. However, Crowder gutted it out and Isaiah Thomas rose to the occasion alongside him, as both players were the only starters with double - digit points. The paltry production from the rest of the first unit was offset by a prolific night from the reserves, who notably scored 47 points and had three players reach double figures in scoring. The Celtics were also highly efficient near the basket in securing the win, outscoring the Knicks in the paint by the sizable margin of 58 - 28. The visitors were led by Thomas' 20 points, which he supplemented with eight assists, five rebounds and a steal. Crowder was right behind him with 16 points, five rebounds and a steal. Tyler Zeller was the surprise of the evening off the bench, posting his first double - double in over a year. He tallied 16 points as well, along with 10 rebounds and a steal. Seven of the boards came on the offensive glass, giving Boston some key second - chance possessions. Evan Turner was a bit overshadowed by Zeller's rare feat, but he put together his own 14 - point, 10 - rebound double - double that also included four assists and a trio of steals. Not to be outdone, Kelly Olynyk supplied 13 points, five rebounds, an assist and a block in what was a remarkable outing for Boston's back - up centers. The Celtics remain in second place in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division. They're back home on Wednesday to take on the Pistons. The Knicks received particularly productive efforts from three members of the starting five, beginning with Arron Afflalo, who amassed 18 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal. Robin Lopez was outstanding down low against a vulnerable Celtics frontcourt, tallying 17 points, 13 rebounds (equaling a season high), two assists and three blocks. Anthony was a force throughout the contest, collecting 16 points, hauling in 14 boards and dishing out four assists. Kristaps Porzingis could not exactly duplicate the considerable success he'd enjoyed in his first two career meetings with Boston, but did contribute 10 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block. Even Langston Galloway, who received another start in place of the ailing Jose Calderon and could only pitch in a single point, managed to haul in nine rebounds and dish out a pair of assists. Veteran sharpshooter Sasha Vujacic paced the New York reserves with his third double - digit scoring effort in the last four contests, totaling 13 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal. The Knicks remain in third place in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division. They head to Detroit for a Thursday showdown against the Pistons.
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