2013 NBA Playoffs: Green Saves Celtics’ Season, Boston Fends Off New York’s Late Rally To Force Game 6

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First Posted: May 01, 2013 10:44 PM EDT

Jeff Green scored 18 points and knocked down back-to-back trays late in the game as the Boston Celtics narrowed their series deficit to 3-2 with a hard-fought 92-86 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.

Green's memorable postseason performance took another turn on Wednesday after coming through with another big play to keep the Celtics' playoff hopes alive.

Green, who's coming off a career-threatening heart surgery last season, has assumed the role as the heart and soul of the Celtics' offense in the playoffs with mainstays Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett being slowed down with injuries and ageing all season long.

Facing a huge rally from the Knicks late in the fourth quarter, the former Georgetown Hoyas star drained two consecutive three-point baskets to give the Celtics an 88-76 lead with 2:24 remaining.

J.R Smith, who returned from a one-game suspension for elbowing Jason Terry, made two treys in the last one minute to stay within striking distance but time was not on the Knicks' side this time around.

Smith finished with 14 points on 3-for-14 shooting while Carmelo Anthony tallied 22 points and 7 boards. Knicks point guard Raymond Felton breached the 20-point mark for second consecutive game, recording 21 points along with six assists.

The Celtics, meanwhile, gained solid contributions from Pierce (16 points), Garnett (16 points and 18 rebounds), Brandon Bass (17 points) and reserve guard Jason Terry (17 points).

Boston shot 45.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the three-point line. Meanwhile, the Knicks' torrid shooting continued to cool down for the second straight game as they shot just 39.5 percent on the floor and 22.7 percent from downtown.

With the series returning to TD Garden on Friday, the Celtics have a chance to level their Eastern Conference first-round showdown at 3-3 and force a deciding Game 7 after losing the first three games to the Knicks.

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