the lack of timely rebounds. Their negative body language on the court

is an indication of the frustration whenever they work hard on defense

and fail to clean up on the boards to close out a possession.

Boston was downright antagonistic on Tuesday, grabbing nine

offensive caroms.

"That's going to happen some because we do play small," Knicks

coach Mike D'Antoni said afterward. "When we got after it in the last

16 minutes, they didn't hurt us. If we're going to play little, we

have to play hard."

On the season, the Knicks rank last in the league when it comes to

rebound differential. They are losing the battle by seven boards a

game. Zach Randolph has been cleaning up underneath, but none of the

other starters have a reputation for rebounding.

There's not much help sitting on the bench outside of David Lee,

who's getting more attention this season when the ball goes up. It's

possible the situation will improve when Jared Jeffries comes back

from a leg injury later this month.

CELTICS 110, KNICKS 101: There was a glimmer of hope with six

minutes to play when David Lee capped an 11-2 run and got the Knicks

within six points of the defending champions. It was a battle down the

stretch, but Paul Pierce proved unyielding.

It was the seventh loss in a row against Boston.

Kevin Garnett was suspended 24 hours earlier and was not in the

building. Even so, the Celtics were comfortably in front before the

Knicks picked up the intensity and climbed back into the game. That

alone was a source of inspiration.

"It's not bad," head coach Mike D'Antoni said. "I see the good

stuff. We just got to build on it."

Wilson Chandler had 23 points and seven rebounds for the Knicks.

Zach Randolph added 18 points and eight rebounds.

"The main thing is we continued to compete no matter what the

score was," guard Chris Duhon said. "And we found ourselves right back

in the game."