Thomas, Celtics breeze past Knicks
BOSTON -- Isaiah Thomas was one shy of his season high with 29 points as the Boston Celtics torched the New York Knicks to the tune of a 115-87 blowout victory on Friday night.
Thomas has scored at least 23 points in all nine games for the Celtics (4-5), who surrendered 118 or more points in a trio of losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards.
Kelly Olynyk scored 19 points and Avery Bradley added 15 for Boston, which held the Knicks to 35.1 percent shooting (33 of 94).
Kristaps Porzingis had 14 points to lead New York (3-6), which lost for the fourth time in six games and has dropped four of its last five meetings with the Celtics.
Carmelo Anthony finished with 12 points for the Knicks, all in the first quarter. He was ejected after picking up a pair of technical fouls late in the first half.
Porzingis and Joakim Noah were also whistled for technical fouls.
Marcus Smart was awarded his first start of the season to help spark a flatlining defense, but instead gave the Celtics a jolt on the offensive end.
The third-year guard from Oklahoma State hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored eight of Boston's first 19 points as it built an early 11-point lead.
Smart's efforts on the defensive end were contagious as well, as the Celtics played with energy in forcing four turnovers in the first 5:13.
But the gears started turning for the Knicks as Anthony scored eight during a 19-9 run which brought New York within a point.
Anthony had 12 in the opening period and the Knicks pulled within 31-27 entering the second quarter.
The perennial All-Star's night would be short-lived, as Anthony was sent to the showers after his double technical with New York trailing 44-38 with 4:44 left before the break.
Anthony was 5 of 8 from the floor in his 12-plus minutes.
Without him, the Knicks struggled to score and the Celtics turned a 61-51 halftime lead into a rout in the second half.
NOTES: Boston C Al Horford (concussion) missed his fifth straight game but will travel to Indiana for Saturday's contest with the Pacers. "It's a really good sign," Horford said. Horford returned to practice Thursday and participated in non-contact activities. F Jae Crowder (left ankle sprain) missed his fourth straight game, but coach Brad Stevens did not provide any updates. ... Stevens inserted G Marcus Smart and C Kelly Olynyk into the starting lineup. "Probably our two best defenders," he said. ... New York F Carmelo Anthony doesn't plan to sit out one half of back-to-backs this season. "I don't really have any kind of negative effect," said Anthony, who did so last year as a precaution returning from a knee injury. The Knicks visit the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. ... Celtics G Demetrius Jackson was assigned to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA D-League on Thursday. ... Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts visited the Boston locker room before the game. ... The Celtics honored veterans in attendance throughout the night in honor of Veterans Day.