Celtics Destroy Knicks

Green Improves to 24-5
1990-91 Boston Celtics

This was hardly anything new for John MacLeod. Since 1978, he has emerged from what passes as the opposition dressing room in Boston Garden and discovered different ways to dissect another defeat.

He had little luck in his many years with Phoenix and none whatsoever in his brief stint with Dallas. And judging by last night's brutal 113-86 Boston massacre, his New York incarnation isn't going to find that elusive "W" any time soon.

There are only so many ways one can say, "We came, we saw, we capitulated," and MacLeod covered them all last night. He talked about the Knicks being out-this and out-that -- out-everythinged -- and finally settled on one applicable pronouncement.

"I don't think anyone could beat the Celtics the way they are playing now," he said.

He's right. This was after yet another frighteningly efficient blowout by Chris Ford's juggernaut. The Celtics jumped on MacLeod's overmatched Knicks early and went on to post their 14th victory in a row at home. This also was New York's 19th consecutive regular-season defeat in Boston Garden.

It wasn't remotely close. The Celtics led by 12 after one, by an astonishing 29 at the half and by 32 after three. They actually got the lead to as high as 41 in the fourth quarter during garbage time.

Boston showed no signs of any letdown after a four-day hoop hiatus. Instead, the Celtics all credited their inspired play to three intense days of practice. Equally appropriate would be the presence of the clueless Knicks on the schedule.

"Everything just clicked for us," said Larry Bird, who had 15 points in a cameo performance (24 minutes).

Let us count the clicks.

The Celtics held the Knicks to 39 percent shooting. Boston, befitting its status as the best-shooting team in the league, shot 55 percent.

The 86 points were the fewest allowed by the Celtics this season. New York had as many turnovers as assists (18). The 27-point margin marked the seventh time this season the Celtics have won by 20 or more points. They have won 18 by 10 points or more, a league best.

Whereas Boston had its usual balanced attack (six in double figures, paced by Kevin McHale's 20), the Knicks had nothing.

Patrick Ewing was nowhere to be seen. He got in foul trouble in the first half and then, with the game well out of reach, started to show some offense in the third quarter. He had 19 points. John Starks (John Starks?) was next with 13, and all of those came in the fourth quarter.

"You lose Patrick Ewing early like they did and you're going to lose a lot of games," Bird said.

But it hardly seemed to matter whom the Knicks threw out; they are simply dreadful right now. General manager Al Bianchi said afterward, "If they're not embarrassed, then there's something wrong with them."

For starters, MacLeod went with Mo Cheeks as a steady, experienced hand in the backcourt. The Celtics spotted New York a 2-0 lead and then went on a 12-2 run. The Knicks, with the steady, experienced Cheeks at the helm, had four turnovers and an air ball in their next five possessions. That served as an indication of what was to come.

Bird shook off a frigid start (0 for 4) and finished with 13 in the quarter. The second quarter featured the trifecta of McHale, Kevin Gamble and Dee Brown, who scored 33 of the team's 35 points and were pretty much responsible for turning this one into a rout.

McHale, Gamble and Brown were everywhere in a 23-5 run which turned a 38-29 Boston lead into a 61-34 runaway. Gamble was automatic; he made his first six shots. McHale had his usual assortment of scoops, spins, twists and leaners and even found time to make a couple of technicals (Ewing, MacLeod). And Brown made all four of his shots in the quarter -- all of them jumpers.

Meanwhile, the Knicks couldn't do anything right. They went the final 5:20 of the quarter without a field goal, shot 30 percent and provided little deterrent to the Celtics' relentless march. The halftime score? 65-36.

"I know it looks easy, but it is all because of hard work," Ford said.

True and true. The Celtics aren't where they are because of league-wide benevolence. By the same token, the Knicks looked a lot like the lost-in-the-ozone gang who left here after the Game 2 shellacking last May.

Last year there was time to regroup, recover and for redemption. Now, given the odd, dispirited assemblage gathered last night, you have to wonder: Where is Actors Equity when you really need it?