Recap: Joe Crawford gives Knicks one helluva Christmas present

Melorondo

The Knicks beat the Celtics in the season opener, 106-104, thanks to… the legendary Joey Crawford.

The referee who never met a spotlight he didn't love interjected himself into this game with two questionable technical foul calls and an absurd call on Marquis Daniels that led to two Carmelo Anthony free throws – two points that decided the game.

The players union should have demanded the league replace its egomaniacal officials as part of the CBA.

Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 37 points and 8 rebounds. He single-handledly led the Knicks back in the 4th quarter. Sasha Pavlovic offered very little resistance on defense. Same goes for Quisy.

Rajon Rondo (31 points, 13 assists) was spectacular. He torched NY for uncontested lay-up after uncontested lay-up during the Celtics 3rd quarter rally.

Glen Davis who? Brandon Bass had 20 points, 11 rebounds in 28 minutes. 

The Celtics really missed Paul Pierce in the final two minutes. Not only could they have used his defense, but Pierce would have prevent the offense from falling stagnant. The Celtics looked tentative as the Knicks kept switching on the Rondo/KG pick-and-roll in the final two minutes. 

Box score | Recap

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