Garnett, Rondo lead Celtics to a sweep

Photo by: Kathy Willens

AP

Photo

Boston Celtics center Jermaine O'Neal (7) and forward Glen Davis, right, go up for a rebound with New York Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire (1) in the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series at Madison Square Garden in New York, Sunday, April 24, 2011.

Associated Press

NEW YORK

The Boston Celtics made the New York Knicks’ return to the postseason a brief one.

Now the Celtics have a long break before that expected trip to Miami.

Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Rajon Rondo added 21 points and 12 assists, and the Celtics swept their way into the Eastern Conference semifinals, holding on for a 101-89 victory over the Knicks on Sunday.

Ray Allen and reserve Glen Davis each added 14 points for the Celtics, the first team into the second round after sweeping a series for the first time since a 3-0 victory over Indiana in 1992, the last series victory for their old Big Three before Larry Bird retired.

They had a 23-point lead cut to four in the fourth quarter, but pulled away again behind Garnett, who scored 20 after halftime.

The current Big Three of Garnett, Allen and Paul Pierce twice was extended to seven games in the first round, but this one was far easier than expected against the injury-weakened Knicks.

The Celtics could now have a week off while they wait for likely second-round opponent Miami, which was forced to a fifth game after a late rally by Philadelphia.

The Celtics almost faced the same scenario, but a Knicks comeback attempt stalled in the final minutes.

“We know we have played very well when we’ve had rest and preparation time. So those are always good,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and nine rebounds, and Amare Stoudemire, who decided to play after his back felt better, finished with 19 points and 12 boards but shot only 5 of 20 from the field.

“It was all heart. He just gave it all. With him and Carmelo going forward, the Knicks are in good shape,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said.

The Knicks shot 34 percent and were quickly dispatched in their first playoff appearance since 2004, when they were also swept in the first round. They haven’t won a playoff game in 10 years.

The Celtics got better as the series went along, pulling out two close victories in Boston and saving their best for Madison Square Garden, surrounded in orange as it was finally open for postseason basketball again.