Per Month Has Transformed Everything, and absolutely nothing

Within the thirty days that passed between outings to Colonial, the Knicks added gamers, momentum, confidence, a bench along with a global sensation, raising their profile as well as their anticipation to unwieldy levels.

It required the Boston Celtics just 5 minutes to puncture the hype balloon and offer a proper indication from the distances the Knicks must still visit consider themselves challengers.

On the raucous mid-day at TD Garden, the celts moderate Jeremy Lin, survived Carmelo and - because they have so frequently done - converted probably the most critical plays, dealing the Knicks a 115-111 overtime defeat.

Paul Pierce hit a 3-pointer that forced overtime, then handed off and away to Ray Allen, who obtained 5 straight points to provide Boston charge permanently. On the way, Rajon Rondo made modern record history, with 18 points, 20 assists and 17 rebounds - the N.B.A.’s gaudiest triple-double since Miracle Manley had 24, 17 and 17 in 1989.

Even though particulars were different, the end result felt nearly the same as the Knicks defeat here February. 3, and also the playoff deficits they sustained here last spring. The Celts (19-17), its their struggles, remain the model for which the Knicks aspire to become through the finish of April.

“We will,” Anthony stated after scoring 25 points. “That needs time to work. That needs time to work. They’ve experienced the wringer lengthy enough. They’ve existed lengthy enough to understand how to close out games. That’s something which we are able to originate from that.”

Anthony and Pierce dueled all mid-day, until Pierce hit the shot that mattered most - a 3-pointer that tied the overall game at 103-103 with 4.9 seconds left in regulation. Anthony had an opportunity to win the overall game but skipped a 17-feet jumper in the buzzer, then skipped all shots he required in overtime.