Celtics score series sweep over Knicks
The Boston Celtics swept their way into the Eastern Conference semifinals, holding on for a 101-89 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Rajon Rondo added 21 points and 12 assists for the Celtics, the first team into the second round after sweeping a series for the first time since a 3-0 victory over Indiana in 1992.
They had a 23-point lead cut to four in the fourth quarter, but pulled away again behind Garnett, who scored 20 after halftime.
The Celtics could now have a week off while they wait for likely second-round opponent Miami, which was forced to a fifth game earlier Sunday after a late rally by Philadelphia.
Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks, and Amare Stoudemire, who decided to play after his back felt better, finished with 19 points and 12 boards but shot only 5 of 20 from the field.
The Knicks shot 34 percent and were quickly dispatched in their first playoff appearance since 2004, when they were also swept in the first round. They haven't won a playoff game in 10 years.
At Philadelphia, Lou Williams hit a 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds left to lead Philadelphia over Miami and avoid a series sweep.
Jrue Holiday made a 3 with 46.6 seconds to get the 76ers to within one point, before Williams shot from the top of the arc gave the home team the lead.
Game 5 is Wednesday in Miami.
Williams and Evan Turner led the Sixers with 17 points each. Andre Iguodala added 16 points and Elton Brand had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
LeBron James scored 31 points for the Heat and Dwyane Wade 22.
At Atlanta, Jamal Crawford scored 25 points and Joe Johnson hit four big free throws in the final 20 seconds to lead the Hawks to victory and a 3-1 lead over the Magic in their Eastern Conference playoff series.
The Hawks will try to wrap up the best-of-seven series Tuesday night in Orlando.
Atlanta made only 12 of 20 free throws, but Johnson came through when the Magic were forced to foul. Orlando had a last chance to tie it up, but Al Horford knocked the ball away from Hedo Turkoglu as he tried to get loose for a 3-pointer.
Turkoglu got the ball back with only enough time to force one up. It missed badly, and the Hawks celebrated a commanding series lead.
At New Orleans, Chris Paul's triple double led the New Orleans Hornets to a 93-88 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers to tie their first-round playoff series at 2-2.
Paul finished with 27 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds and scored 14 of New Orleans' 24 points in the fourth quarter. The All-Star guard capped his brilliant performance by running down the clock and setting up Jarrett Jack's short jumper, which made it 90-86 with 9.3 seconds left.
Kobe Bryant scored 17 points for the Lakers, but did not score in the first half and finished 5 of 18 shooting.
Trevor Ariza scored 19 for New Orleans.
