BOSTON — Gerald Green scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, including seven straight after Boston had finished blowing a 23-point lead, helping the Celtics beat the Knicks 102–94 last night.

Al Jefferson had 26 points and nine rebounds and Paul Pierce added 24 points for the Celtics, who have won two in a row for the first time since winning five straight December 9–16. After that, they lost 25 of 27 games, including 18 straight losses that set a franchise record and made a run at the NBA mark of 24.

Rajon Rondo had nine rebounds and eight assists for the Celtics in their first game in Boston since former point guard Dennis Johnson died last week at the age of 52. The Celtics observed a moment of silence in his memory, and even former nemesis Isiah Thomas paid tribute by wearing a no. 3 pin on his suit.

Quentin Richardson scored 24 and Stephon Marbury had 23 for the Knicks, who entered the night in 10th place, two games out of the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

New York came back from a 23-point deficit in the first half and led 88–87 with just under five minutes left before Green, the slam dunk champion, hit a 3-pointer, two free throws and another basket.