Recap: Celtics rout Knicks behind Turner’s triple double

Evan Turner’s first NBA triple double led the Celtics to a 115-94 blowout of the Knicks, a game Boston broke open with a 20-0 run from the late 3rd quarter into the 4th. Turner had 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, while committing only 1 turnover. Marcus Smart added 16 points on 6-9 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers that helped the Celtics take control.

The suddenly potent Celtics bench joined the fun: Jonas Jerebko shot 7-10, made 4 treys, and scored a game-high 20; Isaiah Thomas had 19 points, including 11-11 at the line, and 7 assists; and Jae Crowder added 18 points, hitting 3-5 from deep.

The Knicks came in losers of 7 straight. To the delight of Celtics fans, Knicks president Phil Jackson is learning how hard it is to win in the NBA when you don’t have the likes of MJ, Shaq or Kobe. With Carmelo Anthony injured and almost all other talent traded or bought out, New York’s roster is filled with no-names and fringe guys. The Knicks’ starting power forward is Lou Amundson, who’s been with an astonishing 10 teams in 9 years. Almost makes one feel sympathy for Spike Lee (actually, not really).

With that said, the Knicks played harder than the Celtics from the jump, using a 10-3 run for a 13-9 lead. Jason Smith had his way with 5 points, 6 boards in the first 6 minutes. But a Smart 3-pointer triggered a 7-0 burst that put Boston ahead, 16-13, and forced a NY timeout. Thomas made his parquet debut and rattled home his first shot, a transition 3-pointer that gave the Celtics a 21-19 lead. The Celts’ lack of energy throughout the quarter left them trailing at the buzzer, 25-23.

The Celtics went cold early in the 2nd quarter, with only 3 free throws to show in their first 8 possessions. Sloppy passing and unforced turnovers (this time not Turner’s fault) helped the Knicks to a 6-point lead in a quiet Garden. NY was the aggressor, and thus got the foul calls: Celts were over the limit with 7:50 remaining. The Knicks make only 13 FTs per game, but by halftime had made 14, with Andrea Bargnani going 7-9 (his most FTAs since 2012).

Jerebko scored his first Boston points, draining a 3 and long 2 on consecutive possessions, then tipping in his own missed runner. At the break, Thomas led Boston with 9 points and Turner had 8, and the Celts trailed, 49-48. Celtics got very little from anyone else, including the previously on-fire Avery Bradley – only 5 points on 2-5 shooting.

The Celtics looked more lively to start the 3rd, as Smart and Brandon Bass rejected shots. A fast-break layup and-1 by Bradley tied it at 55. When the Knicks regained the lead, 64-59, Brad Stevens took the small-ball route, inserting Thomas and Crowder for Smart and Tyler Zeller. Crowder immediately drained a 3 and Bass dunked a putback to key a 7-0 run that put the Celts ahead, 69-68.

The Knicks’ last lead was 72-71, when 4 straight FTs by Thomas began the Celtics’ 20-0 run. Jerebko hit a deep trey at the buzzer, giving the Cs an 80-72 lead after 3 quarters, then Smart opened the 4th quarter by canning consecutive 3s. Crowder followed with a trey and the rout was on.

The Green:

This game could not have been more night-and-day, as Boston was lethargic in the 1st half and trailed by 1 point at the break. In the 2nd half, they perked up and outscored NY, 67-45.
Boston shot 14-31 (.452) from deep, matching their season high for made 3s that they set in the previous game at Phoenix. Ten of the treys came in the 2nd half.
The great Tommy Heinsohn was honored with a video tribute between quarters for his recent 2nd election to the Hall of Fame. Tommy is one of just 4 honored as both a player and coach. Plaid sports coats and long sideburns figured prominently in the highlights from the ’70s.

The Gross: