The New York Knicks concentrated their defense on point guard Rajon Rondo in defeating the Celtics, 100-88, last night. It was the Celtics' fourth loss in six games, a streak that began Dec. 25 when the Los Angeles Lakers used similar tactics for a 92-83 victory. But the Knicks added a Hector-ian twist, capitalizing on a right calf injury to Kevin Garnett late in the third quarter. Literally, a David Lee kick to Garnett's calf caused the problem. Figuratively, this was a kick in the Celtics' teeth. "I thought [the Knicks] had amazing energy and focus. I thought we had average energy and focus," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "In the first half, we were shooting 54 percent and I thought we were playing like crap offensively and defensively. Then, in the second half, we didn't make shots. "It bugs you when you lose a game, especially a game you think you should win. But I didn't think we should win [last] night, not the way we played. I thought they played with terrific energy, I thought they played harder than us, they executed better than us, and I thought Mike [D'Antoni] did a better coaching job than I did, and their players did a better playing job than our players. When that happens you are probably going to lose the game." The Celtics faltered badly in the late going, converting only one meaningful field goal in the final 6:23. A Paul Pierce 3-pointer cut the deficit to 91-86 with 3:39 remaining, but the Knicks then scored 9 successive points before Glen Davis's jumper with 17 seconds to go. "There will be nights when Rondo is not making shots or not making plays," Rivers said. "On those nights you are hoping somebody else can pick you up. When he struggles like that, and the way Kevin struggled, that's taking two of your five starters out of your lineup." Pierce (31 points, 7 rebounds) filled that role for much of the contest, staying on the court for 42 minutes, well over the time limit Rivers usually allots. "He single-handedly was keeping us in the game," Rivers said of Pierce. "But I still should have taken him off." --

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