(My Sportsbook) - The Boston Celtics will be without star forward Kevin Garnett when they begin a short two-game homestand by welcoming division-rival New York to TD Banknorth Garden.

Garnett will sit out after being suspended for hitting Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut during the Celtics 102-97 overtime win on Saturday.

The Celtics rebounded from their first home loss of the 2008-09 season when Ray Allen finished with 27 points and made four key free throws late in overtime.

Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 28 points -- including a 14-for-15 effort from the free-throw line. Garnett scored 15 points before fouling out as Boston rebounded from a loss Friday to Denver. They have won seven of eight overall and are 5-1 in Beantown.

The Celtics will finish the quick residency by welcoming Detroit to Boston on Thursday.

The surprising Knicks also went to overtime in their last game, losing 124-114 to the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden.

Zach Randolph scored 27 points and pulled down 18 rebounds for New York, who lost for just the second time in their last seven games.

Quentin Richardson had 17 points in the loss, while Jamal Crawford and Chris Duhon had 16 points each for the Knicks, who will follow up this game with a visit to Milwaukee in a short two-game road trip.

In team news, New York big man Jerome James is questionable for Tuesday's contest due to personal reasons.

The Celtics swept the four-game season series between the two clubs last season and have won six straight overall versus New York.