Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce's Game-Winning Shot Ends Knicks' 8-Game Streak

Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks in a thriller last night at the Garden 118-116. 

Paul Pierce hit a game-winning shot as he has done so many times in his career.

Despite an outstanding performance from the Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire, the Celtics managed to overcome the surging Knicks.

Stoudemire became the only player in NBA history to score 30 plus points in nine straight games. Stoudemire passed the company of Michael Jordan and Moses Malone, both of whom scored 30 plus points in eight straight contests.

This was a huge game in the Eastern Conference and an even bigger game within the Atlantic Division. The Celtics came into the game 19-4, having won 10 in a row, while the Knicks were 16-9, having won eight in a row.

Somebody had to lose and the Celtics' veteran leadership allowed them to pull this one out.

The Knicks lead most of the game, leading by as much as 10 points. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and the veterans of thew Celtics kept fighting their way back into the game. 

With Pierce, Garnett, and Ray Allen all scoring 20 plus points, the Celtics are almost impossible to beat.

After Pierce hit a jump shot to go up by two with four tenths of a second remaining, the Knicks had one final chance to get a quick shot off.

The ball was inbounded and Amar'e Stoudemire received the ball at the top of the key. He made a three-point shot in which everybody at the Garden thought was a game-winner.

The referees reviewed the shot and it was clear that Stoudemire did not get the shot of quick enough.

Pierce stood in the middle of the court pumping his fist as the Celtics improved to 20-4 and ended the Knicks eight-game winning streak.