Celtics hold off Knicks for first road win

Ricky Davis added 27 points with five rebounds and four assists for the Celtics, who won on the road for the first time this year. Delonte West chipped in 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor.

Stephon Marbury poured in 35 points for the Knicks, scoring 17 from the free throw line. He also dished out nine assists. New York has lost two straight and three of its last four games. Rookie Channing Frye added 25 points in defeat.

Center Eddy Curry returned to the lineup for the Knicks after missing the previous five games with a calf injury. He scored only three points in just under 14 minutes of action.

The Celtics have now won six of the last seven meetings.

Marbury scored nine points in the opening quarter, leading the Knicks to a 26-22 advantage. He was 3-of-5 from the field and 3-of-3 from the charity stripe.

Davis scored 12 of the Celtics’ 24 points in the second quarter and Boston went into the break with a 46-45 lead. Midway through the period, Davis netted eight straight for Boston.

Marbury had 24 points at halftime for the Knicks.

Boston opened the third quarter with an 18-6 spurt to grab a 64-51 edge with West netting nine points, including a deep three-pointer, during the stretch.

The Celtics outscored the Knicks 30-22 in the third period, taking a 76-67 lead into the final quarter. Pierce accounted for 10 of the points, giving him 23 after three quarters.

New York opened the fourth with a 10-6 run, with Jackie Butler scoring five of the points and pulling the Knicks within five.

With around 3 1/2 minutes to play, the Knicks made it an 89-87 game after Marbury netted four straight points.

Boston responded with a 7-2 spurt to open a 96-89 cushion with around two minutes to go in regulation.

With 36 seconds to play, Butler made a layup, putting the Knicks down one at 96-95.

Davis sank two free throws late to seal it for the Celtics.

Game Notes

Pierce also had seven assists in the game...Butler finished the game with 10 points...New York is now 3-3 at the Garden...Boston shot 42.9 percent from the floor, while the Knicks shot 43.7 percent.