Associated Press
The NBA roundup …
BOSTON ó Kevin Garnett sank the go-ahead basket with 14 seconds left, then stole the ball as the Boston Celtics overcame Carmelo Anthonyís 42 points and beat the depleted New York Knicks 96-93 to take a 2-0 lead in their playoff series on Tuesday night.
The Knicks played the entire second half without Amare Stoudemire, who had back spasms. Chauncey Billups missed the game with a sore left knee.
Garnett hit the decisive jump hook after backing Jared Jeffries into the lane. The Knicks then got the ball to Anthony in the left corner, where he was double-teamed by Paul Pierce and Glen Davis. Anthony passed inside to Jeffries, but Garnett stole the ball and called timeout with 4 seconds remaining.
The Knicks then fouled Delonte West, who made two free throws with 0.6 seconds to go.
Rajon Rondo lhad a career playoff-high 30 points.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series is scheduled for Friday night in New York.
Magic 88, Hawks 92
ORLANDO, Fla. ó Dwight Howard had 33 points and 19 rebounds, Jameer Nelson added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Orlando held off Atlanta.
The Magic evened the best-of-seven series, with Game 3 Friday night in Atlanta.
Orlando used a 10-1 run to close the third quarter to take an 11-point lead into the fourth.
Mavericks 101, Blazers 89
DALLAS ó The Portland Trail Blazers must feel like they are in an NBA time warp. First they got beaten by Jason Kidd, now Kidd and Peja Stojakovic.
Even the Dallas Mavericks are feeling the retro mood. They’re up 2-0 in a playoff series for the first time since 2006.
Stojakovic tied his career playoff best with five 3-pointers and had 21 points, and Kidd continued his surprising scoring surge with 18 points, powering the Mavericks to a 101-89 victory on Tuesday night.