Celts finish sweep of Knicks
<p>Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (5) and center Jermaine O'Neal, right, pressure New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony during the second half of Game 4 Sunday in New York.</p>
The Boston Celtics never let this develop into the intriguing series that was expected.
Instead, they turned it into the easiest one their current group has ever experienced.
Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Rajon Rondo added 21 points and 12 assists, and the Celtics swept their way into the Eastern Conference semifinals, holding on for a 101-89 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Ray Allen and reserve Glen Davis each added 14 points for the Celtics, the first team into the second round after sweeping a series for the first time since a 3-0 victory over Indiana in 1992, the last series victory for their old Big Three before Larry Bird retired.
"It's what we expected coming in. We knew it wasn't going to be easy, obviously Games 1 and 2, but we found a way to put it away," Rondo said. "We haven't swept a team in a long time, so it's good feeling."
And it gives their aging group plenty of rest before an expected showdown with the Miami Heat.
The Celtics had a 23-point lead cut to four in the fourth quarter, but pulled away again behind Garnett, who scored 20 after halftime.
The current Big Three of Garnett, Allen and Paul Pierce twice was extended to seven games in the first round, but this one was far easier than expected against the injury-weakened Knicks. The Celtics could now have a week off.
Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and nine rebounds, and Amare Stoudemire, who decided to play after his back felt better, finished with 19 points and 12 boards but shot only 5 of 20 from the field.