Ewing Jr. helps Knicks finish off Celtics in preseason win

BOSTON -- Ewing is a name synonymous with the New York Knicks and the city of Boston -- so it's only fitting that Patrick Ewing Jr. would ice the Knicks' 104-97 victory over the Celtics on Friday night.

Ewing, the son of Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing and a high school star in Cambridge, Mass. before his career at Georgetown, scored only four points -- but an important four.

After Eddie House scored five straight points in the fourth quarter to cut the Knicks' lead to seven, Ewing threw down an electrifying dunk off an offensive rebound with 3:27 remaining to give the Knicks a 98-89 lead.

With 19 seconds remaining and the Knicks (2-2) up by five, Ewing stole an errant Gabe Pruitt pass and made the subsequent free throws to secure the victory for New York.

"I wasn't expecting to check in and coach came down and called my name. I didn't have time to be nervous," Ewing said. "The more I get out there, hopefully the more I'll get used to it."

Nate Robinson scored 19 points, including 3 of-6 from behind the arc, and Zach Randolph added 15 to lead the Knicks. Stephon Marbury had 12 points while Chris Duhon and Mardy Collins each had 10.

"We picked up energy and picked up our intensity. I thought we played pretty well," Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni said.

For the Celtics (4-2), it was their first game back at the TD Banknorth Garden since beating the Los Angeles Lakers in last season's NBA finals to claim their 17th title.

"It was great," said Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, who scored 11 points. "I love playing here. I love the atmosphere. I love the people."

After trailing by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter, the Celtics mounted a late comeback behind House, who scored 16 in the quarter and led all scorers with 27 points.

"I'm getting good looks," House said. "When you're getting good looks, you just have to keep taking them, no matter what."

The first half featured 15 lead changes as the teams played to a 56-56 tie at the half, but the Knicks broke the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics 28-20. Duhon broke a 66-66 tie with a 3-pointer, sparking a 13-2 run.

The Celtics cut the deficit to single digits to end the quarter before Robinson hit two quick 3's in the fourth to help the Knicks take a 92-80 lead.

Paul Pierce scored 15 points for the Celtics and Tony Allen had 11.

Game notes
After sitting out Thursday night's game against New Jersey, Ray Allen, Garnett and Pierce were back in the Celtics' starting lineup. ... Celtics G Rajon Rondo left after spraining his right ankle in the third quarter and did not return. Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said following the game that Rondo could have returned but will not play on Sunday unless he is 100 percent.