Scoreboard Results of December 8,2013
Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks
Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors - Kobe Bryants Return
Miami Heat vs Detroit Pistons
Orlando Magic vs Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
LATEST NBA NEWS of DECEMBER 8, 2013
Howard, Harden lead Rockets over Magic 98-88
Photo: Houston Rockets power forward Dwight Howard (12) is fouled by Orlando Magic's Jason Maxiell (54) as he attempts to drive during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/Bob Levey)
HOUSTON (AP) -- Dwight Howard was late for the pregame shootaround. So he knew that playing on his 28th birthday, and against his former team, the onus was on him to both atone and deliver.
Done and done.
Howard had 20 points and 22 rebounds Sunday night to lead the Houston Rockets over the Orlando Magic 98-88.
''I just wanted to get the win tonight,'' Howard said. ''I'm just happy our team came out tonight, settled down and played basketball.''
Howard became the first Rockets player since Ralph Sampson in 1985-86 to pull down 18 or more rebounds in three straight games.
Despite the positive outcome, don't expect to see Howard showing up late to any more shootarounds anytime soon.
''Bad example,'' he said. ''I shouldn't have done it.''
James Harden scored 27 points and also had 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Rockets. Terrence Jonescontributed 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Jones scored 10 a busy third quarter when Houston pulled away for good, extending its lead to as many as 22 points. He also blocked five shots, stopping Victor Oladipo as time expired in the third quarter to preserve an 83-61 lead.
Chandler Parsons, who missed two games because of a sore back, started for Houston and had 18 points.
''Our starting four and five had 35 rebounds between them,'' Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. ''James went and got eight rebounds, too. So that was big.''
Glenn Davis scored 18 in Orlando's fifth straight loss. Arron Afflalo finished with 16 points and Jameer Nelsonadded 15.
Done and done.
Howard had 20 points and 22 rebounds Sunday night to lead the Houston Rockets over the Orlando Magic 98-88.
''I just wanted to get the win tonight,'' Howard said. ''I'm just happy our team came out tonight, settled down and played basketball.''
Howard became the first Rockets player since Ralph Sampson in 1985-86 to pull down 18 or more rebounds in three straight games.
Despite the positive outcome, don't expect to see Howard showing up late to any more shootarounds anytime soon.
''Bad example,'' he said. ''I shouldn't have done it.''
James Harden scored 27 points and also had 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Rockets. Terrence Jonescontributed 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Jones scored 10 a busy third quarter when Houston pulled away for good, extending its lead to as many as 22 points. He also blocked five shots, stopping Victor Oladipo as time expired in the third quarter to preserve an 83-61 lead.
Chandler Parsons, who missed two games because of a sore back, started for Houston and had 18 points.
''Our starting four and five had 35 rebounds between them,'' Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. ''James went and got eight rebounds, too. So that was big.''
Glenn Davis scored 18 in Orlando's fifth straight loss. Arron Afflalo finished with 16 points and Jameer Nelsonadded 15.
Photo: Orlando Magic power forward Andrew Nicholson (44) has his shot blocked by Houston Rockets power forward Terrence Jones (6) as power forward Dwight Howard (12) looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/Bob Levey)
''We just didn't play well,'' Davis said. ''We can't make shots. It's not about the shots. It's about the defense. Everybody needs to be held accountable in making sure they do what they need to do, or it's going to be a long season.''
Howard got off to a slow start offensively, but he amassed nine quick rebounds in the first quarter, thanks in part to the Magic's 7-for-22 shooting.
This was Howard's first game against Orlando in a Rockets uniform, having faced his first former team last season while with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Orlando made Howard the top pick of the 2004 NBA draft. He played for the Magic from 2005-2012, once led the team to the finals and remains Orlando's all-time leading scorer.
The Magic shot just 27.7 percent (13-for-47) from the field in the first half. But they benefited from at-times lackluster rebounding the Rockets, which led to second-chance points that allowed them to loiter around.
Orlando appeared poised to give the Rockets a tough test, scoring nine straight points to take a 9-2 lead. But the burst was brief.
''We just came out sluggish and weren't contesting shots, and we weren't rebounding,'' Howard said. ''We had to pick our energy level up, and that's what we did.''
The Rockets hurt the Magic from the 3-point line, making seven of 11 to erase that run by Orlando in the first quarter. Houston finished 10-for-33 from 3-point range against 8-for-29 for Orlando.
The Magic cut Houston's lead to 28-25 with a burst of hustle to open the second quarter, capped by a 3 from E'Twaun Moore. That's as close as Orlando got the rest of the way.
NOTES: The Magic missed C Nikola Vucevic (left ankle) for a third straight game. ... Rockets G Jeremy Lin (right knee) missed his sixth game but participated in pregame workouts. ... Houston tallied 10 blocks, its fourth double-digit game of the season.
Howard got off to a slow start offensively, but he amassed nine quick rebounds in the first quarter, thanks in part to the Magic's 7-for-22 shooting.
This was Howard's first game against Orlando in a Rockets uniform, having faced his first former team last season while with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Orlando made Howard the top pick of the 2004 NBA draft. He played for the Magic from 2005-2012, once led the team to the finals and remains Orlando's all-time leading scorer.
The Magic shot just 27.7 percent (13-for-47) from the field in the first half. But they benefited from at-times lackluster rebounding the Rockets, which led to second-chance points that allowed them to loiter around.
Orlando appeared poised to give the Rockets a tough test, scoring nine straight points to take a 9-2 lead. But the burst was brief.
''We just came out sluggish and weren't contesting shots, and we weren't rebounding,'' Howard said. ''We had to pick our energy level up, and that's what we did.''
The Rockets hurt the Magic from the 3-point line, making seven of 11 to erase that run by Orlando in the first quarter. Houston finished 10-for-33 from 3-point range against 8-for-29 for Orlando.
The Magic cut Houston's lead to 28-25 with a burst of hustle to open the second quarter, capped by a 3 from E'Twaun Moore. That's as close as Orlando got the rest of the way.
NOTES: The Magic missed C Nikola Vucevic (left ankle) for a third straight game. ... Rockets G Jeremy Lin (right knee) missed his sixth game but participated in pregame workouts. ... Houston tallied 10 blocks, its fourth double-digit game of the season.
Article Source: http://ph.nba.com/news-article/2048/howard-harden-lead-rockets-over-magic-98-88#.UqW3i9KBkZk
Kobe returns, but Raptors beat Lakers 106-94
Photo: Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant dribbles the ball as Toronto Raptors' Amir Johnson, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant had nine points and eight rebounds in his season debut for the Lakers, butAmir Johnson scored a career-high 32 points in the trade-depleted Toronto Raptors' 106-94 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Bryant began his 18th NBA season by going 2 for 9 with four assists and eight turnovers in 28 minutes. The fourth-leading scorer in NBA history hadn't played since tearing his Achilles tendon in April, undergoing several months of rehabilitation to return for Los Angeles' 20th game of the new season.
But the Lakers never led, and Toronto improbably snapped its five-game losing streak despite playing without forward Rudy Gay, who is expected to be traded to Sacramento on Monday as the centerpiece of an apparent seven-player deal.
Kyle Lowry had 23 points and eight assists, and DeMar DeRozan added 10 of his 26 points in the final 4:35 of the Raptors' first road win over the Lakers in 11 tries since Dec. 28, 2001.
Nick Young scored 19 points for the Lakers, who went 10-9 without Bryant this season, forging a winning record without the five-time NBA champion and with little help from fellow injured MVP Steve Nash.
Adoring fans cheered Kobe's every move and forgave every misstep, but Bryant couldn't rally the Lakers late despite another huge game by Los Angeles' reserves. Xavier Henry scored 17 points off the bench, and Jodie Meeks added 14.
The Raptors had 11 players available after holding out Gay, center Aaron Gray and forward Quincy Acy, all set to head to the Kings in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson, John Salmons and Chuck Hayes.
Bryant began his 18th NBA season by going 2 for 9 with four assists and eight turnovers in 28 minutes. The fourth-leading scorer in NBA history hadn't played since tearing his Achilles tendon in April, undergoing several months of rehabilitation to return for Los Angeles' 20th game of the new season.
But the Lakers never led, and Toronto improbably snapped its five-game losing streak despite playing without forward Rudy Gay, who is expected to be traded to Sacramento on Monday as the centerpiece of an apparent seven-player deal.
Kyle Lowry had 23 points and eight assists, and DeMar DeRozan added 10 of his 26 points in the final 4:35 of the Raptors' first road win over the Lakers in 11 tries since Dec. 28, 2001.
Nick Young scored 19 points for the Lakers, who went 10-9 without Bryant this season, forging a winning record without the five-time NBA champion and with little help from fellow injured MVP Steve Nash.
Adoring fans cheered Kobe's every move and forgave every misstep, but Bryant couldn't rally the Lakers late despite another huge game by Los Angeles' reserves. Xavier Henry scored 17 points off the bench, and Jodie Meeks added 14.
The Raptors had 11 players available after holding out Gay, center Aaron Gray and forward Quincy Acy, all set to head to the Kings in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson, John Salmons and Chuck Hayes.
That turned out to be plenty, thanks to two Los Angeles natives. Johnson, who attended nearby Westchester High School, went 14 for 17 and surpassed his previous career high early in the third quarter. Johnson didn't take a shot in the fourth, but USC product DeRozan and Lowry held off the Lakers.
The 35-year-old Bryant hadn't played since getting hurt in a home game against Golden State on April 12, making two free throws on a torn Achilles tendon before limping to the Staples Center locker room. He had immediate surgery, vowing to return close to full strength - and after working his way back into practices with the Lakers in the last few weeks, he pronounced himself ready.
The building had the buzz of a playoff game before the opening tip, with most fans in their seats with cameras trained on Bryant during opening warmups. The building erupted in loud applause at every mention of Kobe, who was introduced last in the starting lineup to the thunderous strains of ''The Imperial March'' - Darth Vader's theme from ''Star Wars.''
The crowd roared again the first time Bryant touched the ball, and he found Robert Sacre underneath the hoop for an assist on Los Angeles' first possession. With his wife, Vanessa, and two daughters sitting courtside, Bryant hit a free throw for his first point in the second quarter, followed shortly by an 8-foot, double-pump, left-handed bank shot for his first field goal.
Bryant added a signature 22-foot face-up jumper later in the period, but also showed clear signs of rust and unfamiliarity with his new teammates.
NOTES: The officials allowed Toronto C Jonas Valanciunas to make two free throws out of a timeout late in the first quarter, but belatedly realized Lowry was supposed to take the shots. They wiped the two points off the board and put Lowry back at the line, where he made both shots anyway. ... Terrence Ross banked in a 53-footer at the first-quarter buzzer to put Toronto up 30-20. ... Dodgers slugger Yasiel Puig sat near courtside in a gold Bryant jersey. George Lopez and Mindy Kaling also attended the game.
The 35-year-old Bryant hadn't played since getting hurt in a home game against Golden State on April 12, making two free throws on a torn Achilles tendon before limping to the Staples Center locker room. He had immediate surgery, vowing to return close to full strength - and after working his way back into practices with the Lakers in the last few weeks, he pronounced himself ready.
The building had the buzz of a playoff game before the opening tip, with most fans in their seats with cameras trained on Bryant during opening warmups. The building erupted in loud applause at every mention of Kobe, who was introduced last in the starting lineup to the thunderous strains of ''The Imperial March'' - Darth Vader's theme from ''Star Wars.''
The crowd roared again the first time Bryant touched the ball, and he found Robert Sacre underneath the hoop for an assist on Los Angeles' first possession. With his wife, Vanessa, and two daughters sitting courtside, Bryant hit a free throw for his first point in the second quarter, followed shortly by an 8-foot, double-pump, left-handed bank shot for his first field goal.
Bryant added a signature 22-foot face-up jumper later in the period, but also showed clear signs of rust and unfamiliarity with his new teammates.
NOTES: The officials allowed Toronto C Jonas Valanciunas to make two free throws out of a timeout late in the first quarter, but belatedly realized Lowry was supposed to take the shots. They wiped the two points off the board and put Lowry back at the line, where he made both shots anyway. ... Terrence Ross banked in a 53-footer at the first-quarter buzzer to put Toronto up 30-20. ... Dodgers slugger Yasiel Puig sat near courtside in a gold Bryant jersey. George Lopez and Mindy Kaling also attended the game.
Article Source: http://ph.nba.com/news-article/2047/kobe-returns-but-raptors-beat-lakers-106-94#.UqW3lNKBkZk
Durant's 36 points lift Thunder past Pacers 118-94
Photo: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates following a basket by teammate Kendrick Perkins in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Kevin Durant had 36 points and 10 rebounds and Oklahoma City turned a matchup of two of the NBA's best teams into a blowout with a 118-94 win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night.
The Thunder (15-4) improved to 10-0 at home this season. They are the only Western Conference team to remain undefeated at home.
Durant was 14 of 23 from the field and Oklahoma City shot a season-best 61 percent (47 of 77). Russell Westbrook finished with 26 points, Reggie Jackson had 15 and Serge Ibaka 13 for the Thunder.
Paul George scored 32 points for the Pacers (18-3), who shot just 40 percent (34 of 85).
Indiana was playing its second game in two nights, having won at San Antonio on Saturday.
The Thunder never trailed on Sunday, leading by as many as 19 points in the first half before pushing the lead to 29 in the third quarter after Steven Adams' three-point play put Oklahoma City up 88-59.
Oklahoma City nearly equaled its season-high of 119 points in the win, falling one point short of what it scored on Nov. 8 against Detroit.
The Thunder (15-4) improved to 10-0 at home this season. They are the only Western Conference team to remain undefeated at home.
Durant was 14 of 23 from the field and Oklahoma City shot a season-best 61 percent (47 of 77). Russell Westbrook finished with 26 points, Reggie Jackson had 15 and Serge Ibaka 13 for the Thunder.
Paul George scored 32 points for the Pacers (18-3), who shot just 40 percent (34 of 85).
Indiana was playing its second game in two nights, having won at San Antonio on Saturday.
The Thunder never trailed on Sunday, leading by as many as 19 points in the first half before pushing the lead to 29 in the third quarter after Steven Adams' three-point play put Oklahoma City up 88-59.
Oklahoma City nearly equaled its season-high of 119 points in the win, falling one point short of what it scored on Nov. 8 against Detroit.
The loss was the worst of the season for last season's Eastern Conference finalists, the Pacers. Their only other losses were a 16-point defeat at Chicago on Nov. 16, and a four-point defeat at Portland on Dec. 2.
Oklahoma City swept the regular-season series with the Pacers last season, and Durant opened the game with a point to prove in the matchup of NBA Finals' hopefuls.
The NBA's leading scorer at 28.5 points per game hit 6 of his first 7 shots in the first quarter, scoring 14 of the Thunder's first 18 points. Oklahoma City led by as many as 14 points in the first quarter, stretching that to 19 points in the second quarter after Jeremy Lamb's 3-pointer put the Thunder up 43-24.
Lamb's 3-pointer capped a 15-4 run for Oklahoma City, all coming from its reserves - led by Jackson's seven point.
The Thunder shot 54.8 percent (23 of 42) in the first half, while Indiana shot just 32.6 percent (15 of 46).
NOTES: Indiana finished a five-game road trip against the Thunder, going 3-2 on the trip with losses to Oklahoma City and Portland. ... The Pacers, who played two of the top Western Conference teams in San Antonio and Oklahoma City in their last two games, return home to face two-time defending NBA champion Miami on Tuesday.
Oklahoma City swept the regular-season series with the Pacers last season, and Durant opened the game with a point to prove in the matchup of NBA Finals' hopefuls.
The NBA's leading scorer at 28.5 points per game hit 6 of his first 7 shots in the first quarter, scoring 14 of the Thunder's first 18 points. Oklahoma City led by as many as 14 points in the first quarter, stretching that to 19 points in the second quarter after Jeremy Lamb's 3-pointer put the Thunder up 43-24.
Lamb's 3-pointer capped a 15-4 run for Oklahoma City, all coming from its reserves - led by Jackson's seven point.
The Thunder shot 54.8 percent (23 of 42) in the first half, while Indiana shot just 32.6 percent (15 of 46).
NOTES: Indiana finished a five-game road trip against the Thunder, going 3-2 on the trip with losses to Oklahoma City and Portland. ... The Pacers, who played two of the top Western Conference teams in San Antonio and Oklahoma City in their last two games, return home to face two-time defending NBA champion Miami on Tuesday.
Article Source: http://ph.nba.com/news-article/2046/durants-36-points-lift-thunder-past-pacers-118-94#.UqW7ctKBkZk
James scores 24, Heat rout Pistons 110-95
Photo: Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) drives against the Detroit Pistons in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- LeBron James and Miami breezed through one big rematch.
Now the Heat can prepare for another.
James had 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Miami routed Detroit 110-95 on Sunday, avenging a home loss to the Pistons less than a week ago.
Up next for the Heat is a game at Indiana on Tuesday. The Pacers have the NBA's best record - and this will be the first meeting between the teams since Miami's seven-game victory in last season's playoffs.
''They're a great team right now, the way they're playing,'' James said. ''We're trying to get healthy, we're trying to get to our full potential. We'll see what we can do.''
First, the Heat had a score to settle against a Detroit team that won 107-97 at Miami on Tuesday. Ray Allenscored 18 points for the Heat, who were without Dwyane Wade on Sunday but still shot 56 percent from the field and 11 of 28 from 3-point range. Miami took an early 16-5 lead, and although the Pistons fought back, the Heat went on a 13-2 run in the third quarter to make it 74-57.
''They got us pretty good - they beat up on us in Miami,'' James said. ''To return the favor, we wanted to play much better against them this time.''
Miami looked motivated from the start. Allen's 3-pointer made it 12-2, and although the Pistons steadied themselves momentarily, they could never tie it.
Miami led 59-53 at halftime, and Mario Chalmers and Allen each made 3-pointers during the crucial run at the beginning of the third quarter. The Heat led 91-70 after three.
Now the Heat can prepare for another.
James had 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Miami routed Detroit 110-95 on Sunday, avenging a home loss to the Pistons less than a week ago.
Up next for the Heat is a game at Indiana on Tuesday. The Pacers have the NBA's best record - and this will be the first meeting between the teams since Miami's seven-game victory in last season's playoffs.
''They're a great team right now, the way they're playing,'' James said. ''We're trying to get healthy, we're trying to get to our full potential. We'll see what we can do.''
First, the Heat had a score to settle against a Detroit team that won 107-97 at Miami on Tuesday. Ray Allenscored 18 points for the Heat, who were without Dwyane Wade on Sunday but still shot 56 percent from the field and 11 of 28 from 3-point range. Miami took an early 16-5 lead, and although the Pistons fought back, the Heat went on a 13-2 run in the third quarter to make it 74-57.
''They got us pretty good - they beat up on us in Miami,'' James said. ''To return the favor, we wanted to play much better against them this time.''
Miami looked motivated from the start. Allen's 3-pointer made it 12-2, and although the Pistons steadied themselves momentarily, they could never tie it.
Miami led 59-53 at halftime, and Mario Chalmers and Allen each made 3-pointers during the crucial run at the beginning of the third quarter. The Heat led 91-70 after three.
''We knew that their focus was going to be higher, and you could see that at the beginning of the game and again in the third quarter. They were really able to push the ball off our missed shots and get some easy baskets,'' Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks said. ''We knew what was coming after we beat them up there, but knowing they are going to be coming hard is one thing. Stopping them is something else.''
Andre Drummond had 19 points and 14 rebounds for Detroit, which had its four-game winning streak snapped. The Pistons never showed any sign of slowing down Miami, and although they finished with 17 offensive rebounds, they never took full advantage of a potential edge inside.
Detroit had a 21-6 edge in second-chance points, but that could have been far worse for the Heat against Drummond and Greg Monroe.
''I thought we did a better job tonight versus last game of - when they did get the ball, really wall them up and force them under the basket,'' Miami's Shane Battier said. ''Those guys are pogo sticks, and not much you can do when they're playing above the rim like that. But once they catch it, try to wall them up and keep them pinned to the baseline.''
The Pistons entered as NBA leaders in steals per game, and the Heat turned the ball over 10 times in the first half, but Miami took care of the ball better over the final two quarters, and its torrid shooting never really let up.
The Miami bench scored 41 points on 15-of-24 shooting. Roger Mason Jr. had 12 points and Chris Andersen added 10.
James, meanwhile, shot 10 of 15 from the field, although he did have six of Miami's 16 turnovers.
Chris Bosh scored 16 points for the Heat. Brandon Jennings had 19 for the Pistons.
''I didn't think we had enough energy tonight. When you are playing at home, you should have a ton of energy, and we didn't,'' Detroit's Kyle Singler said. ''We went in there and beat them a few days ago, so we knew they were going to want revenge tonight. They are tough when they play like that.''
Wade played in Miami's win over Minnesota on Saturday night, but coach Erik Spoelstra likes to rest him in back-to-backs to reduce the wear and tear on his knees. Heat forward Michael Beasley (left hamstring) and Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey (left knee) were also out.
NOTES: Detroit's last five-game winning streak was in December of 2009. ... Miami shot 65 percent in the first half and was 5 of 12 from 3-point range.
Andre Drummond had 19 points and 14 rebounds for Detroit, which had its four-game winning streak snapped. The Pistons never showed any sign of slowing down Miami, and although they finished with 17 offensive rebounds, they never took full advantage of a potential edge inside.
Detroit had a 21-6 edge in second-chance points, but that could have been far worse for the Heat against Drummond and Greg Monroe.
''I thought we did a better job tonight versus last game of - when they did get the ball, really wall them up and force them under the basket,'' Miami's Shane Battier said. ''Those guys are pogo sticks, and not much you can do when they're playing above the rim like that. But once they catch it, try to wall them up and keep them pinned to the baseline.''
The Pistons entered as NBA leaders in steals per game, and the Heat turned the ball over 10 times in the first half, but Miami took care of the ball better over the final two quarters, and its torrid shooting never really let up.
The Miami bench scored 41 points on 15-of-24 shooting. Roger Mason Jr. had 12 points and Chris Andersen added 10.
James, meanwhile, shot 10 of 15 from the field, although he did have six of Miami's 16 turnovers.
Chris Bosh scored 16 points for the Heat. Brandon Jennings had 19 for the Pistons.
''I didn't think we had enough energy tonight. When you are playing at home, you should have a ton of energy, and we didn't,'' Detroit's Kyle Singler said. ''We went in there and beat them a few days ago, so we knew they were going to want revenge tonight. They are tough when they play like that.''
Wade played in Miami's win over Minnesota on Saturday night, but coach Erik Spoelstra likes to rest him in back-to-backs to reduce the wear and tear on his knees. Heat forward Michael Beasley (left hamstring) and Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey (left knee) were also out.
NOTES: Detroit's last five-game winning streak was in December of 2009. ... Miami shot 65 percent in the first half and was 5 of 12 from 3-point range.
Article Source: http://ph.nba.com/news-article/2045/james-scores-24-heat-rout-pistons-110-95#.UqW3l9KBkZk
Celtics top Knicks 114-73, biggest rout of season
Photo: Boston Celtics' Jordan Crawford (27) leaps next to New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony (7) after getting fouled during the second half an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in New York. The Celtics won 114-73. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Another sizzling start for the Celtics, only this time they kept pouring it on.
By the time they were finished, they had battered the New York Knicks in the most lopsided NBA game this season.
By the time they were finished, they had battered the New York Knicks in the most lopsided NBA game this season.
Jordan Crawford made six 3-pointers and scored 23 points, and Boston won its third straight with a 114-73victory on Sunday.
Jared Sullinger added 21 for the Celtics, who jumped to leads of 12-0, 18-1 and 25-3 and improved their Atlantic Division-leading record to 10-12.
''It was just fun to get a win like that in here because I've been on the other side of it a couple times. It's good to get a win against the division,'' Crawford said.
Boston scored the first 14 points Friday in a victory over Denver, though that one eventually got close.
Not this time.
The Celtics led 58-31 at halftime, then Crawford made four 3-pointers in a 34-point third quarter that extended Boston's lead to 92-56. The Celtics then scored the first four points of the fourth for a 40-point bulge, triggering loud boos that would get louder at the final buzzer.
''I think the biggest thing today was coming out after halftime and keeping it going. That's hard to do,'' Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.
Boston led by as much as 45 and went on to surpass a 38-point victory by the Clippers over Chicago that had been the NBA's biggest victory this season. The Celtics shot 54 percent overall and 56 percent from 3-point range in the rematch of the Knicks' first-round playoff victory last season.
Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points for the Knicks, who had done to them what they had done to their previous two opponents. Coming off a 30-point victory over Brooklyn and a 38-point rout of Orlando, the Knicks finished with season lows in points and field goal percentage (34.2).
Jared Sullinger added 21 for the Celtics, who jumped to leads of 12-0, 18-1 and 25-3 and improved their Atlantic Division-leading record to 10-12.
''It was just fun to get a win like that in here because I've been on the other side of it a couple times. It's good to get a win against the division,'' Crawford said.
Boston scored the first 14 points Friday in a victory over Denver, though that one eventually got close.
Not this time.
The Celtics led 58-31 at halftime, then Crawford made four 3-pointers in a 34-point third quarter that extended Boston's lead to 92-56. The Celtics then scored the first four points of the fourth for a 40-point bulge, triggering loud boos that would get louder at the final buzzer.
''I think the biggest thing today was coming out after halftime and keeping it going. That's hard to do,'' Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.
Boston led by as much as 45 and went on to surpass a 38-point victory by the Clippers over Chicago that had been the NBA's biggest victory this season. The Celtics shot 54 percent overall and 56 percent from 3-point range in the rematch of the Knicks' first-round playoff victory last season.
Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points for the Knicks, who had done to them what they had done to their previous two opponents. Coming off a 30-point victory over Brooklyn and a 38-point rout of Orlando, the Knicks finished with season lows in points and field goal percentage (34.2).
''It's a step backwards. I thought we had turned the corner somewhat,'' Knicks coach Mike Woodson said in taking much of the blame. ''I can't have our guys stepping on the floor doing what they did tonight.''
Starting guards Raymond Felton and Iman Shumpert were both 0 for 6, center Andrea Bargnani was 1 for 7, and Anthony finished 5 of 15.
''It's just one of those games where it happens,'' Felton said. ''You hate that it happens, you hate to get beat like that inside your building. It was nasty game, it's a bad taste in our mouth right now.''
New York fell to 0-6 in its orange uniforms, which the Knicks are wearing in weekend home games and also donned at Chicago on Halloween in their road opener. Their three worst losses of the season have come in their alternate colors.
''I'm not a superstitious guy, so I won't blame it on the 12 o'clock game, I won't blame it on the orange uniforms,'' said Anthony, who won a national championship for the Syracuse Orange. ''Regardless, we could've lost in the white uniforms today. It'd have still been the same thing.''
Jeff Green and Brandon Bass each scored 16 for the Celtics, who stay in New York for the next couple of days during something of a reunion week. They face Kevin Garnett and Brooklyn Tuesday for the first time in the regular season since last summer's blockbuster trade, then return home to face former coach Doc Rivers and the Clippers on Wednesday.
It was 12-0 before the Knicks finally got on the board on Anthony's free throw after the Celtics were called for a defensive 3-second violation. Crawford and Sullinger then hit consecutive 3-pointers to make it 18-1 before the Knicks finally made a basket on Anthony's dunk with 5:45 remaining.
''We were aggressive on the ball,'' Green said. ''We forced them to play on their heels.''
The Celtics led 34-11 after one and opened a 26-point lead when Courtney Lee nailed a 3-pointer to open the second. Leading by 17 late in the period, then ran off 12 in a row, Green's three-point play making it 58-29 with 37 seconds remaining.
Knicks starters were 3 for 23 in the first half.
Notes: The Celtics played just their second division game of the season. They lost to Toronto on opening night. ... With Kenyon Martin resting a sore left ankle, the Knicks gave rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. his first start.
Starting guards Raymond Felton and Iman Shumpert were both 0 for 6, center Andrea Bargnani was 1 for 7, and Anthony finished 5 of 15.
''It's just one of those games where it happens,'' Felton said. ''You hate that it happens, you hate to get beat like that inside your building. It was nasty game, it's a bad taste in our mouth right now.''
New York fell to 0-6 in its orange uniforms, which the Knicks are wearing in weekend home games and also donned at Chicago on Halloween in their road opener. Their three worst losses of the season have come in their alternate colors.
''I'm not a superstitious guy, so I won't blame it on the 12 o'clock game, I won't blame it on the orange uniforms,'' said Anthony, who won a national championship for the Syracuse Orange. ''Regardless, we could've lost in the white uniforms today. It'd have still been the same thing.''
Jeff Green and Brandon Bass each scored 16 for the Celtics, who stay in New York for the next couple of days during something of a reunion week. They face Kevin Garnett and Brooklyn Tuesday for the first time in the regular season since last summer's blockbuster trade, then return home to face former coach Doc Rivers and the Clippers on Wednesday.
It was 12-0 before the Knicks finally got on the board on Anthony's free throw after the Celtics were called for a defensive 3-second violation. Crawford and Sullinger then hit consecutive 3-pointers to make it 18-1 before the Knicks finally made a basket on Anthony's dunk with 5:45 remaining.
''We were aggressive on the ball,'' Green said. ''We forced them to play on their heels.''
The Celtics led 34-11 after one and opened a 26-point lead when Courtney Lee nailed a 3-pointer to open the second. Leading by 17 late in the period, then ran off 12 in a row, Green's three-point play making it 58-29 with 37 seconds remaining.
Knicks starters were 3 for 23 in the first half.
Notes: The Celtics played just their second division game of the season. They lost to Toronto on opening night. ... With Kenyon Martin resting a sore left ankle, the Knicks gave rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. his first start.
