Scalabrine helps Celtics hang on

BOSTON — Brian Scalabrine, in the starting lineup while Kevin Garnett served a one-game suspension, made a three-point basket with 1 minute 14 seconds to play to help the Boston Celtics defeat the New York Knicks, 110-101, Tuesday night after they let a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead get trimmed to four points.

Paul Pierce scored 22 points for the Celtics, who were playing without Garnett for the first time this season.

Wilson Chandler scored 23 points for the Knicks, who have lost seven consecutive games against Boston.

Coach Doc Rivers decided to start the seldom-used Scalabrine, from USC, instead of pulling Leon Powe off the second unit and upset the Celtics’ rotation.

Powe scored 14 points.