Los Angeles - Although Kevin Garnett missed the game on Tuesday night, the Boston Celtics seemed to be just fine without their emotional leader. Paul Pierce scored 23 points and fan favourite Brian Scalabrine, filling in for the suspended Garnett, fired in a game-sealing three- pointer with just over a minute left to play as the Celtics held off the visiting New York Knicks 110-101.
"Anytime you are without one of your Big Three and you win the game, it's a bonus," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, referring to Pierce, Ray Allen and Garnett. "I thought everybody was up for it, so it was really good."
The league docked Garnett one game for retaliating, by hitting Milwaukee Bucks centre Andrew Bogut in the face in the Celtics' overtime victory on Saturday night.
However, the defending NBA Champions received timely contributions from centre Kendrick Perkins (16 points) backup Leon Powe (14 points) along with Scalabrine to offset his absence.
"We feel bad for what happened. It didn't warrant a suspension, but we were able to bring the energy on the court even without Kevin," Pierce said.
"I know what type of team we got and I know that we got guys that can step up. That's what happened tonight. Thank goodness, we were able to take up the slack for one game and get the win."
With "The Big Ticket" watching from home, the bigger Celtics dominated inside, outmuscling their guests, 50-20.
"We took advantage of size matchups by going to Perk and Leon,and it paid off," Pierce added. "Scal came up and gave us a big lift in the starting line-up tonight. He was huge."
Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen added 15 points apiece for the Celtics (10-2), who have won the last seven meetings in the series.
Wilson Chandler topped the Knicks (6-5) with 23 points while Zach Randolph had 18 and eight rebounds.
"Kendrick, Leon and Scalabrine did a solid job for them," said Knicks guard Chris Duhon, who contributed 15 points. "Those guys stepped up to the occasion. That's why they are the best team in the league."
The Knicks entered the final quarter trailing by 12 before drawing within 103-99 on a basket by Chandler.
After Pierce split a pair of free throws, Quentin Richardson missed a three-pointer at the other end.
Rondo raced up court and drove the right side before sending a pass over to Scalabrine, who buried the back-breaking three-pointer from the left corner to make it 107-99.
"I live for those moments. I love the game-winners. I love being in at the end," said Sacalabrine, who finished with eight points. "It was great."
Elsewhere:
LA Lakers 116, Chicago Bulls 109
Spain's Pau Gasol poured in a season-high 34 points in just 32 minutes, Kobe Bryant had 21, and the Lakers (8-1) rebounded from their first loss of the season to crush the visiting Bulls.
Rookie Derrick Rose topped Chicago (5-6) with 25 points.
Cleveland Cavaliers 106, New Jersey Nets 82
LeBron James had 31 points, leading the surging Cavaliers to their eighth straight victory.
Devin Harris led host New Jersey (4-6) with 23 points.
Orlando Magic 103, Toronto Raptors 90
Jameer Nelson scored a season-high 23 points, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis had 22 apiece, as the Magic beat the Raptors despite a 40-point, 18-rebound effort by Chris Bosh.
Dallas Mavericks 100, Charlotte Bobcats 83
German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki dropped in 32 points, and the visiting Mavericks routed the Bobcats for their second straight win following a five-game slide.
Miami Heat 94, Washington Wizards 87
Dwyane Wade collected 19 points with 10 assists and the visiting Heat beat the slumping Wizards for the second time in the last five days.
Antawn Jamison scored 25 points for Washington (1-7) off to its worst start since 1999.
Indiana Pacers 113, Atlanta Hawks 96
Danny Granger poured in 34 points and Troy Murphy pulled down 19 rebounds, sending the Pacers past the suddenly cold Hawks.
Joe Johnson netted 25 points for Atlanta (6-4) losers of four straight since opening the season at 6-0.
Memphis Grizzlies 109, Sacramento Kings 94
Rudy Gay scored 22 points, Hakim Warrick had 21 with 10 board, and the host Grizzlies shot a season-high 54 per cent to snap a four-game slide.
Denver Nuggets 114, Milwaukee Bucks 105
Linas Kleiza tossed in 25 points, Carmelo Anthony had 17, and the host Nuggets ran up their highest scoring game of the season.
Charlie Bell paced the Bucks (5-7) with 25 points.
Golden State Warriors 111, Portland Trail Blazers 106
Undrafted rookie Anthony Morrow scored 25 points, including three free throws with 5.6 seconds left, and the Warriors slipped past the visiting Trail Blazers despite a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds by rookie Greg Oden.
