What has happened to the Celtics?

Did I enjoy seeing KC swish a buzzer-beating game-winner yesterday afternoon at MSG vs. the Knicks? Of course. Am I worried about the Celtics since it took overtime to defeat the hapless Knicks, 107-105, and Boston seems to be rapidly aging? Without question.

Boston (10-4) has not looked good since the beginning of the season. They take way too many threes, they are 29th in the NBA in rebounding (explain that one) and they extremely vulnerable to young, athletic teams.

New York (3-10) is a complete joke. All they do is take threes and try to make Sportscenter with their wannabe And-1 moves (I'm talking to you Nate Robinson).

Yesterday's game meant nothing and the NBA treated it as such, putting it at 1pm on an NFL sunday. I'm sure many people in New England didn't even know it was happening. I couldn't completely focus on it with more exciting and important football games on but the C's seemed to be in control up 30-22 after one quarter but it was down to 56-53 at the half.

Paul Pierce scored a season-high 33 points, Rajon Rondo nearly had a triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds while Kendrick Perkins added 16 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. However, Garnett (10 points on 4 of 15 shooting) and Ray Allen (13 points on 3 of 13 shooting) looked more fit for a coffin.

Boston got the lead up to 14 points early in the second half (67-53) but New York responded with a 20-6 run to tie it and then they went ahead by five points.

Al Harrington had 30 points and nine boards off the bench for the Knicks while David Lee (22 points, 15 rebounds) and Robinson (19 points) provided the supporting cast.

I believe Tim Donaghy is out of jail and he could have been working the game yesterday because there were some mighty shady calls. An offensive foul call on Ray Allen was one of the worst I can ever remember but most importantly, the refs' ineptitude didn't cost either team the game.

Can somebody please work with Rondo on his free throw shooting? The guy is 8 for 24 from the line this season. It is beyond painful to watch him up there. It's a glaring hole in his game that will be exploited forever until he can at least become decent.

The Celts will look to get back to playing their style of basketball Wednesday night as they host the Sixers at the Garden.