Boston's Ray Allen needed seven stitches after the Celtics rallied in the second half to beat the New York Knicks 96-86 on Monday night.In the third quarter, the Celtics shooter battled New York’s Jared Jeffries for a rebound under Boston’s basket. Jeffries appeared to inadvertently elbow Allen in the head, leaving him bloodied on the floor.
Allen had a cut above his right eye and was and escorted to the locker room. He returned to the game after a few minutes with a bandage over his eye.
The Knicks scored the first seven of the second, capped by consecutive baskets by Turiaf, to open a double-digit cushion. It grew to 45-30 on Billups' 3-pointer with 3:41 remaining in the half, and the Knicks took a 51-37 advantage to the locker room.Notes: The teams meet again in Boston on April 13 in the regular-season finale. ... Shaquille O'Neal worked out on a stationary bike before the game, though it's still unknown when he will return from a sore right leg that's sidelined him since Feb. 1. ... The Knicks started Turiaf at center, the third straight game they had a different starter at that position.
