Late in the fourth quarter Sunday, with the outcome of Celtics-Knicks decided, simultaneous “Let’s go, Pats!” chants and boos from Knicks fans echoed throughout TD Garden.
While Knicks fans enjoyed leaning into their cantankerous DNA for a moment, those boos quickly returned to cheers as the Knicks cemented a 111-89 victory over the Celtics (34-19).
The result snaps Boston’s five-game winning streak, as the Knicks (34-19) came out flying and never relinquished power.
Jalen Brunson led New York with 31 points and eight assists, Josh Hart added 19 and the Knicks shot 40 percent from 3-point range as a team.
Jaylen Brown paced Boston with 26, Baylor Scheierman added 10 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and Derrick White contributed 19 points, but the Celtics shot just 37 percent from the floor as a team.
While the Celtics looked disorganized and flat-footed at times, this one was more so about the Knicks beating the Celtics than the Celtics losing to the Knicks. New York was the more physical, skilled and organized team.
The Knicks jumped out to a 35-24 edge through 1, as Brunson made his mark early with 15 points and four assists. New York shot 63 percent from the floor, compared to 35 percent for Boston, and got out in transition in the opening minutes.
White and Brown responded to help the Celtics slice the deficit to 60-53 at halftime, but the Knicks finished the half at 60 percent and generated a steady stream of easy looks.
Scheierman gave the Celtics a lift in the quarter, showcasing his versatility as a playmaker and rebounder. Scheierman has now totaled 40 rebounds in his last four games following a career high Sunday.
The Knicks extended the margin to 85-68 following a terrific third quarter in which they held the Celtics to just 15 points. With Neemias Queta in foul trouble, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla elected to go small with Brown at the 4 and the Knicks made them pay inside.
Hart made his presence felt in the quarter as New York turned defense into offense to seize command.
As they did two days prior against the Heat, the Celtics showed some fight; this time, however, there was no magical comeback. Scheierman buried a corner 3 to slice it to 12, then New York caught fire to pull away convincingly.
After holding their opponent to fewer than 100 points in each of the last five games, the Celtics let the Knicks get comfortable and couldn’t catch up. The game was closer than the score indicates, but the outcome was never really in doubt.
The Celtics have still won five of six, but Sunday wasn’t their best showing. New England fans will quickly forget about their shortcomings if the Patriots are able to win Super Bowl LX.
