New York Knicks travelled to Boston in the first NBA game to be hosted in the city after the marathon bombings to play the Celtics.
Carmelo Anthony was the star man of that match as he guided the Knicks to a comfortable 90-76 win over Boston Celtics, which sees the team proceed to Game 4 with a commanding 3-0 lead in their first- round Eastern Conference series.
Carmelo scored 26 points for the Knicks, who are on the verge of winning their first play- off series in 13 years. Raymond Felton added 15 points and 10 assists.
On the other side of the coast, Jeff Green led the scoring for Boston with 21 points; Kevin Garnett scored 12 points and added 17 rebounds for Boston while Paul pierce made 17 points after missing six of his first seven shots.
The Boston Celtics started the game on a less convincing note, by the end of the first quarter the Knicks were already ahead by 5 points. They stretched that advantage to 16 points as they led 47-31 at half- time.
New York went on to lead by 21 points, and then maintained their advantage in the second half. Game 4 of the seven games series will be played on Sunday with Boston having everything to lose if they dare fail to bounce back in the fourth game.
It was an interesting game of Basketball until J.R. Smith of the Knicks blatantly elbowed Jason Terry with just seven minutes remaining. The former was ejected and the league governing body will review the incident with a possible fine or ban ahead for the Sixth Man of the Year.
Carmelo Anthony was elated after the game and heaped praises on his teammates.
“Guys are hungry- we really want this, we feel like its right there in the palm of our hands. We came here believing that we could win this basketball game and we did it,” Anthony said.
