Less than 24 hours after one of the worst performances in franchise history, the Boston Celtics bounced back with a solid effort and dominated the fourth quarter en route to a 90-81 victory over the New York Knicks.

The Celtics shot just 29 percent in Friday's loss to Miami and managed only 66 points, the second-lowest total in franchise history. They were much-improved against the defensive-minded Knicks but trailed until the fourth quarter.

New York had a 70-61 lead with 11:43 remaining, but Paul Pierce scored 11 points during a 14-3 Boston run. He nailed a 3-pointer with 7:41 left before tying it, 73-73, on a follow shot 37 seconds later.

NBA.comTV highlights from Celtics-Knicks: 56k | 300k Antoine Walker hit big shots down the stretch to give the Celts the win at the Garden.

"When it comes down to the fourth quarter, this team finds a way to win when it is close," Pierce said. "We are really disappointed with the way we played last night. We did not show up at the game. We tried to bounce back tonight with a win."

After Mark Jackson made 1-of-2 free throws, Eric Williams gave the Celtics the lead for good on a jumper from the left corner with 5:56 remaining.

Antoine Walker drained a 3-pointer with 3:20 remaining and added a three-point play with 41 seconds left to help Boston win for the second time in as many visits to Madison Square Garden this season.

"I thought after getting trounced last night by Miami, to be able to come to New York and play with that kind of mental toughness was very important," Boston coach Jim O'Brien said. "We've been able to turn things around because we play hard and we play together. We forgot those two things last night."

The Celtics had won just once in their last 17 trips to the Garden entering this season.

"Because of our defense, we feel we can win anywhere," Pierce said. "This is one of the tough environments of basketball. I guess we made this a comfort zone for us where we're not going to be intimidated when we go on the road."

Boston held the Knicks to just 12 points in the fourth quarter and did not allow a basket in the final 4:50.

"We tried to attack to make sure their touches were further away from the basket than normal," O'Brien said. "That allows you to play good 1-on-1 defense. Our deal was to try to make them shoot perimeter shots that were challenged. We had an outstanding defensive game."

"We couldn't hit shots, bottom line," Knicks coach Don Chaney said. "Especially in a game like that, you have to be able to hit shots. They hit the shots they needed to hit late."

Pierce and Walker, who combined to make 10-of-34 shots on Friday, played more like themselves. Pierce had 28 points and seven rebounds and Walker added 22 and seven.

Tony Battie collected 13 points and nine rebounds and rookie Joe Johnson scored 11 points for the Celtics, who shot just 40 percent (33-of-81) but made 6-of-18 3-pointers and 18-of-22 free throws.

Marcus Camby had 21 points and 19 rebounds and Allan Houston scored 20 points for the Knicks, who lost for the ninth time in 12 games.

Kurt Thomas had 17 points and a season-high 14 rebounds and Latrell Sprewell added 15 as New York fell to 4-9 under Chaney.

"I think we're still together as a unit," Sprewell said. "We did not play with confidence. We're not at the point where we know we're going to close out games and finish the way we're supposed to. Until we can develop that, we're going to have a question mark linger."

The Knicks shot just 35 percent (27-of-77) after a blistering start. They scored the first 10 points to take their largest lead, but the Celtics closed the first quarter on a 23-9 run.

The teams traded the lead seven times in the second quarter before Camby's layup with 43 seconds left sent New York into halftime with a 44-43 advantage.

The Knicks did not relinquish the lead in the third quarter and headed into the fourth period with a 69-61 cushion when Shandon Anderson nailed a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left.