Anthony alive at the end as Knicks dump Celtics
Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points and the New York Knicks held on after blowing most of a 26-point lead to beat the host Boston Celtics 88-80 in Game 6 on Friday night and advance in the postseason for the first time since 2000.
Iman Shumpert scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, when the Celtics cut a 75-49 deficit to four. But Anthony made a jumper to give the Knicks an 81-75 lead and then sank a three-pointer, and J.R. Smith converted a three-point play to restore the double-digit lead the Knicks had held most of the game.
Jeff Green scored 21 for the Celtics, who had rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the series and had a chance, at home, to force a seventh game.
Paul Pierce scored 14 points on 4-for-18 shooting, making one of nine three-point attempts. Anthony also struggled, going 7-for-23 from the field and missing his first five three-point attempts before sinking the key basket with 1:43 to go.
The Knicks had not won a play- off series since reaching the 2000 Eastern Conference finals.
Hawks wilt; Pacers move on
George Hill and David West each scored 21 points and the Indiana Pacers withstood a furious comeback in the fourth quarter, beating the Hawks 81-73 in Atlanta to close out their series in six games.
The home team had won every game until the Hawks returned to Philips Arena and set a franchise low with just nine points in the second quarter on 1-for-15 shooting. The defense broke down in the third quarter, allowing Hill and West to combine for 22, and the Pacers led 65-50 going to the fourth.
Grizzlies roll in 4 straight
Mike Conley and Zach Randolph scored 23 points each and the Memphis Grizzlies, with seven players in double figures, beat the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 118-105 to win their first-round series 4-2.
The Grizzlies became only the 10th team in NBA history to win four straight after trailing 0-2.
Reserve Matt Barnes scored a career playoff-best 30 points for the Clippers. Chris Paul had 28 points before being ejected with 2:29 left protesting a foul called on Barnes.
Martin helps oust Rockets
The Oklahoma City Thunder used a 14-4 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to set up a series-clinching 103-94 victory over the host Houston Rockets. Kevin Durant scored 27 points and Kevin Martin added 25.
Martin had 21 points by halftime and Reggie Jackson helped out by scoring 17. James Harden, whom the Rockets said had strep throat on Thursday, led them with 26 points.
No surprise: LeBron’s MVP
Miami Heat star LeBron James will be introduced Sunday as the NBA Most Valuable Player — his fourth time winning the award — according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity. James will become the fifth player with at least four MVP awards, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.