The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics got the NBA Playoffs kicked off in Madison Square Garden on Saturday, beginning with a tribute to Boston in wake of the marthon bombing. From there, Carmelo Anthony got off to a hot start but started feelin' himself a bit too early, going into iso-mode and allowing the Celts to come back. Jeff Green was the man for Boston, dropping 20 points in the first half.
In the third, the Knicks and Celtics traded the lead back and forth, and the game was up for grabs at the beginning of the fourth. That's when 'Melo took over again. He couldn't miss and Boston couldn't do anything to stop Kenyon Martin from getting rebounds or Jason Kidd from making shots and hustle plays. The Celts turned the ball over at inopportune times and couldn't get going offenseively at all, managing just eight points in the final 12 minutes. The Knicks took the first game of the series, 85-78.
Here's how it went down.
Paul Pierce & Carmelo address the crowd to share their heartfelt comments about Boston #NBARapidReplay – on.nba.com/11ww2RM
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2013
MT @jeffzillgitt: Here is the patch the Celtics are wearing on their jerseys: usat.ly/11wy4Bt // twitter.com/JeffZillgitt/s…
— USA TODAY Sports (@USATODAYsports) April 20, 2013
10 points already for Melo and the #celtics call timeout, NYK leading 12-6, on a 12-2 run.
— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) April 20, 2013
The #NBAPlayoffs have begun!@i_am_iman wearing the new #Crazyquick against the @celtics twitter.com/adidasHoops/st…
— adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) April 20, 2013
Celtics dodging major bullets here, keeping pace with early Melo outburst. Down only 3 despite Knicks shooting 66 percent.
— celticshub (@CelticsHub) April 20, 2013
Melo starts out on absolute fire. The Garden is quite loud. #Knicks #Celtics
— Ryan Ruocco (@RyanRuocco) April 20, 2013
Jeff Green with the buzzer-beating trey. The Celtics lead 29-26 at the end of 1, barring a review.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) April 20, 2013
All 5 Celtics starters have scored. Melo has half the Knicks' 26 points. Felton has 6, Smith 6 off the pine.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) April 20, 2013
Carmelo Anthony: 13 points for Knicks after 1 quarter (led NBA in 1st-quarter PPG) but was 1-for-his-last-7 from field
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 20, 2013
The Knicks, who have lived by the 3 all season, make 3 3s in a row to take a 37-34 lead with Carmelo Anthony on the bench.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) April 20, 2013
Knicks r flashy. The celtics just wear u down with fundamentals!!!Paul pierce is the best player on the court!
— Keegan Bradley (@Keegan_Bradley) April 20, 2013
Mark Sanchez is sitting courtside getting booed like he is a Celtic. Maybe worse than the Celtics get booed. Damn.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 20, 2013
#3ToTheDome KNICKS are cooking from downtown now #knickstape
— KnicksTape (@KnicksTape) April 20, 2013
hey, Melo and lots of 3's wasn't on the scouting report… oh wait, that's the entire scouting report #Knicks
— CelticsBlog (@celticsblog) April 20, 2013
There has been far far too much Iso-Melo in first half. Exactly what Doc Rivers would hope for. #Knicks #Celtics
— Ryan Ruocco (@RyanRuocco) April 20, 2013
Jeff Green averaged 17.3 points after All-Star, 7 more per game than before it. He's got 20 vs. Knicks in first half. Celtics up 6.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) April 20, 2013
Celtics-Knicks boxscore. po.st/nE9MSP New York is -8 with Carmelo Anthony on the court.
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) April 20, 2013
Just 10 3-point attempts in the first half from the #knicks. That's exactly what #celtics want, for NYK to fight for 2's and not open 3's
— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) April 20, 2013
Jeff Green's 20 first-half pts have the Celtics on top of Knicks 53-49 at half. Bradley (11 pts), Pierce (10 pts, 6 asts) also playing well.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 20, 2013
After starting 5-of-6 from the floor, Carmelo Anthony missed eight of his final nine shots in the first half. Celtics lead Knicks 53-49.
— sam_gardner (@sam_gardner) April 20, 2013
8 turnovers, 7 assists, 6 threes in the first half. This is not the Knicks we watched this year. Wonder why.
— Jared Dubin (@JADubin5) April 20, 2013
Halftime re-group, focus. Get in your own emotion. #Knicks
— Lizzuendo (@Lizzs_Lockeroom) April 20, 2013
These are the damn Boston Celtics. You'll need to do more to beat them. J.R. Smith is going to have to provide a punch. Gotta help out Melo.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 20, 2013
In seven second half possessions, #celtics have four missed FGs and three turnovers, now trail 54-53, still scoreless 3:11 into 3rd quarter
— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) April 20, 2013
Anthony hits the three! He's 4 for 4 from downtown, now has 25 points on the afternoon. #57 a piece. #Knicks
— Jason Radowitz (@NY_Sports_World) April 20, 2013
Celtics are 13-13 from the free-throw line.
— BuzzFeed Sports (@BuzzFeedSports) April 20, 2013
Knicks are 9-15 from 3PT range and lead 60-59 w/ 5:05 left in the 3rd. bit.ly/12vMuWt
— NBA Sports City (@NBASportsCity) April 20, 2013
Knicks need to blow this game open, no reason Boston should be hanging around.
— Knicks Nation (@KnicksNation) April 20, 2013
Knicks have been playing terrible defense. They will not have title dreams with the way they have been playing today.
— TheProBasketballTalk (@ProBskbllTalk) April 20, 2013
Kenyon Martin With A Big Swat (GIF) wp.me/pKC03-2vZ
— Jonah Kaner (@TheKnicksWall) April 20, 2013
Kenyon Martin is a terrific dunker for his age.
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) April 20, 2013
as long as Carmelo keeps being a pig with the ball, #celtics can steal this series #nbaplayoffs
— Kevin Ivy McLeod (@KevinIvyMcLeod) April 20, 2013
That Bradley jump shot was only the second Celtics field goal of the quarter. The rest of their points on FTs.
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) April 20, 2013
ELEVATED: Celtics 63, Knicks 62, 3rd Quarter – 3:51 -RUWTbot added 6 roots(Individual Performance)ruwt.tv/nba/games/2634…
— RUWT? NBA (@RUWTnba) April 20, 2013
2:51 left in the 3rd Quarter. Carmelo 4-4 start, 4-17 since.Rebounds: 25-25. Celtics went 17-6 this year when not getting out-rebounded.
—GREG FISHER(@REALGREGFISHER) April 20, 2013
Celtics with just 10 pts in third quarter. Defense much improved. Offense slowly improving. Less iso. More pick and roll with Kmart please
— John Schmeelk (@Schmeelk) April 20, 2013
RT @clns_lucas: Pierce and Garnett are a 3/18 from FG. Bradley and Green are 14/25. #Celtics #NBAPlayoffs #Knicks
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) April 20, 2013
This is why Knicks cant win in playoffs Carmelo now 8 for 22.. Need to get more people involved. Knicks have taken 52 shots total
— ShawnPriestman (@ShawnPriestman) April 20, 2013
Melo's shooting too much. That only works if he's shooting 60%. 1 guy can't beat Celtics
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) April 20, 2013
Paul Pierce gives the Celtics a 7 pint lead with one minute left in the third. Knicks can't buy a bucket
— Dime Alert (@DimeAlert) April 20, 2013
Knicks are out of it offensively. Celtics defense active, Melo struggling – so is Smith. Gonna be an interesting 4th quarter.
— Russell Williams (@Cavs247dotcom) April 20, 2013
#Knicks led by Melo's 28pts but face a 70-67 deficit to the Celtics heading into the 4Q. Green has 24, Pierce w/ 17
— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) April 20, 2013
Chandler's health is a big question looking ahead. 0 points, only five boards? That ain't gonna cut it. K-Mart has stepped up well. #Knicks
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) April 20, 2013
Knicks 9-18 from deep, Pierce/KG a combined 7-21 FG and Celtics up by 3? That's not a good sign headed to the 4th? Melo 0 assists.
— Jason McIntyre (@TheBigLead) April 20, 2013
Knicks are 8-1 this year when shooting 50% from 3-point range or higher. They've made 50% in this game.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) April 20, 2013
Garnett and Pierce haven't been great. This should concern Knicks.
— Beau(@720beauCBS) April 20, 2013
Celtics are 4-21 shooting in 2nd half as Knicks have realized refs are allowing physical defense & taken advantage. Still anyone's game tho.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) April 20, 2013
Kenyon Martin's energy paying dividends — a couple huge OREBs, and an and-1 to give the Knicks 72-70 lead early in the fourth.
— Dime Alert (@DimeAlert) April 20, 2013
Same 3 players have 50 of the Knicks' 65 shots. They've hit 20 of them (40%). MUST get the others involved.
— Art Rondeau (@ArtRondeau) April 20, 2013
Things the #Knicks of nothing of so far today:Blocked shots for Tyson ChandlerPoints for Tyson ChandlerFT attempts for J.R. Smith#NBA
— Jon Wagner (@JonathanJWagner) April 20, 2013
Kenyon Martin has more offensive boards (5) than all other Knicks (4) and all Celtics (4).
— Kevin Pelton (@kpelton) April 20, 2013
Knicks-Celtics has had more wild scoring swings than Elliott Gould in the 70s.
— sir broosk (@celebrityhottub) April 20, 2013
Opportunely, Carmelo regains his touch, 32 on the afternoon, 76-72, @nyknicks up, @celtics could be in the danger zone presently #NBA
— Brad James (@BroncosItaly) April 20, 2013
Liking the Knicks energy in Q4, but if they need this from Carmelo and JR Smith just to lead by one at home, I'm not sure how deep they go.
— Matt Wurst(@mwurst) April 20, 2013
Smith w/ the acrobatic finish in lane.He gets the bucket & foul (Garnett's 5th) as #Knicks lead Celtics 78-74 w/ 5:44 left in the gm
— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) April 20, 2013
J Kidd and K-Mart have been the difference makers here in the 4th quarter.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) April 20, 2013
The Celtics have scored 23 points in 17:30 in this second half… with no Tyson Chandler on the floor.
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) April 20, 2013
#celtics are now getting outhustled as #knicks see blood. Something dramatic needs to happen in last 4:43 for #celtics to win
— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) April 20, 2013
Celtics have 23 points in 21 minutes in 2nd half.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) April 20, 2013
At a time like this, I bet the entire Celtics organization and fan base are missing Ray Allen.
— Michael Siconolfi (@Mike_Sico) April 20, 2013
Melo w/ a steal and fastbreak layup. Knicks up five w/ 2:31 left in the 4th. MSG is rocking.
— NBA Sports City (@NBASportsCity) April 20, 2013
Uh Oh… Knicks is kinda kicking a*s right now. Melo & Smith balling. Pierce where u at? You clutch so let's see that #Celtics
— Claudia Jordan (@claudiajordan) April 20, 2013
Ah, the Celtics committing horrific turnovers. Feels like 2009-2012 again.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) April 20, 2013
The #Celtics appear to have aged several decades since the first quarter of this game. #nbaplayoffs
— NOTSportsCenter NBA (@TheNBAonNOTSC) April 20, 2013
Celtics have scored 6 points this quarter
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) April 20, 2013
Jason Terry has been the best Knicks player on the floor.
— netw3rk (@netw3rk) April 20, 2013
It says everything about the Celtics roster that they can't sit Jason Terry now.
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) April 20, 2013
This was exactly the kind of game the Celtics need to turn this series into, and they've failed to take advantage. Not a good sign for them.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) April 20, 2013
People are praising the Knicks' D. I think it's been two teams playing cruddy offense, honestly.
— Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner) April 20, 2013
No room needed! Melo drills a 19-footer w/ Green draped all over him. That's 36 pts for Melo, #Knicks take an 83-76 lead over BOS 1:21 4Q
— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) April 20, 2013
#celtics 1 for 10 from 3-point line in second half, Pierce and Terry combined 1 for 11 for game, can't win that way
— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) April 20, 2013
Carmelo knew he only had one assist in him today, so he saved it for when it would count.
— SBNation NBA (@SBNationNBA) April 20, 2013
What a pass from Carmelo Anthony.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) April 20, 2013
RT @jpdabrams: Carmelo Anthony could get off a shot while in a straight jacket
— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) April 20, 2013
Huge win for Knicks. Kidd, Melo, Martin have been exceptional in second half. Celtics awful in 2nd half
— David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) April 20, 2013
FINAL: Knicks 85, Celtics 78. The Knicks take a 1-0 lead in the series. Game 2 on Tuesday.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) April 20, 2013
Game 1 goes to the Knicks as they beat Boston 85-78. Celtics played sloppy ball down the stretch and only scored 8 points in the 4th.
— Molly McGrath (@MollyAMcGrath) April 20, 2013
The Celtics' bench didn't hit a field goal in Game 1 against the Knicks. Jason Terry, Jordan Crawford and Courtney Lee were a combined 0-7.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) April 20, 2013
The Knicks won Game 1 of the playoff series – the first time doing so since April 22, 2001.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) April 20, 2013
