Celtics rally for spirited victory over Knicks
<p>Chicago guard Derrick Rose shoots over Sacramento's Samuel Dalembert during the first half of Monday's game in Chicago. The Bulls won 132-92.</p>
Kevin Garnett had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Rajon Rondo added 13 points and 12 rebounds, and the visiting Boston Celtics scored the final 10 points for a spirited 96-86 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night.
With blood flowing and bodies flying, the Celtics showed the Knicks they will be tough to beat next month if this was in fact a preview of a first-round playoff series.
Paul Pierce scored 21 points and Ray Allen had 15 for Boston despite a poor shooting night and a cut on his head that briefly forced him from the game.
Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points for the Knicks, but neither he nor Amare Stoudemire had a field goal in the fourth quarter.
Bulls 132, Kings 92: Derrick Rose and Kyle Korver scored 18 points apiece as host Chicago routed Sacramento.
The win gave the Bulls (50-19) their first 50-win season since 1997-98 and allowed Chicago to remain tied with Boston atop the Eastern Conference.
Pacers 102, Nets 98: At Newark, N.J., Roy Hibbert scored 24 points and Danny Granger had 17 of his 20 in the second half as Indiana opened a two-game lead in the race for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a victory over New Jersey.
Darren Collison added 15 points - nine in the final 2:24 - and 12 assists for the Pacers (31-40). Charlotte (28-41) and Milwaukee (28-41) are tied for ninth, with the Bobcats playing host to Indiana on Wednesday.
Magic 97, Cavaliers 86: Dwight Howard scored 28 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and was way too much for host Cleveland's front line to handle in leading Orlando over the Cavaliers.
Jazz 103, Grizzlies 85: Zach Randolph scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as host Memphis maintained its hold on the final Western Conference playoff spot with a victory over Utah.
Spurs 111, Warriors 96: Manu Ginobili scored 28 points and host San Antonio beat Golden State even after Tim Duncan went down with a sprained ankle.
Nuggets 123, Raptors 90: Ty Lawson scored 23 points and host Denver's smothering defense forced 23 turnovers, helping the Nuggets snap a two-game skid with a rout of Toronto.