Knicks Use Long-Range Shooting & 'Melo's Triple Double to Power Past Celtics

The Celtics got hit with eight shots of #NOVAKAINE tonight, and they'll certainly be feeling pretty woozy all night from those shots.  

The New York Knicks got the win tonight, 118 to 108, but that's not the most impressive part of the whole night.

That honor goes to Steve Novak and J.R Smith, who combined for 50 points on the night, on 15-20 shooting from beyond-the-arc.

Novak and Smith were absolutely insane from beyond-the-arc, as it seemed like the Celtics just didn't have an answer for it all night long.

If that wasn't enough, Carmelo Anthony also added an impressive triple-double, with 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists on the night.

'Melo's triple-double against the Celtics was only his second triple-double of his career.  It was his first triple-double since Feb. 5th of 2007.  Shocking, I know.

Without Ray Allen, who was nursing a nagging ankle injury, the major weight of the offense was shifted to Paul Pierce, and he handled that load, with 43 points on the night.

Pierce's impressive night was certainly overshadowed by the Knicks' performance, as they put together one of the most complete and efficient performances of the season.

As a team, the Knicks shot 56.4 percent from the field and 59.4 percent from beyond-the-arc.

It should be noted that Tyson Chandler also had one of the best nights of his 2011-12 season, as he rounded up 20 points on 90 percent shooting from the field, most of which were easy put-backs or dunks.

With a win over the Celtics, and a little help by the Pacers, who knocked off the 76ers, the Knicks helped solidify themselves in a very tight Eastern Conference playoff race, as they are three-games above .500 for only the second time this entire season.

The Celtics on the other hand, fall a half game back of the Magic and the Hawks for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks offensive explosion was exciting to say the least, but it should be noted that it took a lights-out performance by the Knicks to get the win here.

To be considered a legitimate contender in the East, the Knicks need to start closing out games, as they let the Celtics cut their 20-point lead all the way to just six points with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Anyway, big win for the New York Knicks and a very tough and disheartening loss for the Boston Celtics.