Rose fuels slumping Knicks to win over Celtics

LOS ANGELES, USA – Derrick Rose scored 12 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter on Wednesday as the New York Knicks pulled away for a 117-106 victory over the Celtics in Boston.

The win was a needed boost for the beleaguered Knicks, who came into the contest having dropped 11 of their last 13 and without injured Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah.

Star forward Carmelo Anthony, caught up in speculation over his relationship with Knicks president Phil Jackson and his future with the club, had a relatively quiet night with 13 points.

But Rose was one of 6 Knicks to score in double figures, matching his highest points total since joining the team in the off-season.

Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Willy Hernangomez added 17 points each for the Knicks, who ended a 4-game skid against the Celtics.

Hernangomez also grabbed 11 rebounds and Rose pulled down 10 as the Knicks out-rebounded the Celtics 57-33.

The Knicks closed out the second quarter with a 10-2 scoring run to lead 63-54 at halftime. They built the lead to as many as 12 early in the third, but the Celtics wouldn’t go away thanks in large part to the efforts of Isaiah Thomas, who finished with 39 points.

The Celtics narrowed the gap to one point in both the third and fourth quarters, but couldn’t edge ahead.

The win was a welcome respite for the Knicks, with Porzingis and Noa both scheduled to have MRI exams on Thursday. Porzingis missed his fourth straight game with a left Achilles tendon injury and Celtics has a sprained left ankle, which swelled on the plane ride to Boston.

Then there’s the drama surrounding Anthony, who met with Jackson on Tuesday and reportedly reiterated his desire to remain with the team.

Anthony, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, admitted he was weary of the topic.

“You get tired of it,” he said of the questions. “I’m committed (to staying). I don’t have to prove that to anybody. I don’t think I have to keep saying that.” – Rappler.com