Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points and the New York Knicks held on after blowing most of a 26-point lead to beat the Boston Celtics 88-80 in Game 6 on Friday night and advance in the postseason for the first time since 2000.

 

Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks celebrates with teammates Kenyon Martin #3 and Jason Kidd #5 as Courtney Lee #11 of the Boston Celtics walks toward the bench
Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks celebrates with teammates Kenyon Martin #3 and Jason Kidd #5 as Courtney Lee #11 of the Boston Celtics walks toward the bench (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
loading...

Iman Shumpert scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, when the Celtics cut a 75-49 deficit to four points. But Anthony made a jumper to give New York an 81-75 lead and then sank a 3-pointer, then J.R. Smith converted a three-point play to restore the double-digit lead the Knicks had nursed most of the game.

Jeff Green scored 21 points for the Celtics, who had rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the series and had a chance, at home, to force a decisive seventh game.

No NBA team has advanced in the playoffs after losing the first three games.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)

 

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM