New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - Wilson Chandler dropped in a career-high 31 points with eight rebounds, while Al Harrington poured in 30 points, as the New York Knicks snapped an eight-game losing streak to Boston with a surprising 100-88 victory over the Celtics.

The Knicks came in losers of seven of their last eight games but held Boston to 40.5 percent shooting from the field. David Lee logged 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Chris Duhon chipped in 12 points and five assists in the win.

Paul Pierce carried the Celtics with 31 points, seven boards and four assists, as Boston has followed up its franchise-record 19-game winning streak by going 2-4 over its last six games. Ray Allen posted 16 points but failed to hit a three-pointer in nine attempts, while Kevin Garnett, who hurt his right calf when he was kicked in the third quarter, finished with just six points.

Two separate 8-0 runs in the third quarter erased New York's three-point halftime deficit. The Knicks held the reigning champs to just six field goals in the game-altering session.

"Obviously our defense in the second half was really good," Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni said. "There were just a lot of things that happened, and a lot of guys came through and finally closed the game."

Harrington sunk a late three-pointer and Nate Robinson added a free throw to extend the hosts' lead to 78-68 with one period remaining.

Pierce scored eight straight Boston points midway through the fourth to stay within striking distance, and his trifecta with 3:38 to play cut Boston's deficit to 91-86.

But that was as close as the struggling Celtics got. Lee threw down a monster two-hand slam, Jared Jeffries added a lay-in and Chandler recorded a three- point play in transition, giving the Knicks a 12-point lead with just over two minutes left, as Boston went three-plus minutes without getting a basket in yet another setback.

"In key moments of the game we couldn't get stops, especially in the fourth quarter when our defense should be at its best," Pierce said.

Eight straight New York points between the six and four-minute marks of the first aided a 25-24 Knicks advantage after the first quarter.

Allen's three-point play sparked a 14-5 run for Boston late in the second, which ended with the Celtics holding a slim 53-50 edge.

Game Notes

Boston last lost at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2005, snapping a six- game winning streak there...Garnett led Boston with nine rebounds...New York committed 10 turnovers, while forcing 14 Boston mistakes...New York shot 41.5 percent from the floor, including 9-for-22 from behind the arc.