Knicks upset the slumping Celtics

NEW YORK — Wilson Chandler scored a career-high 31 points and the New York Knicks snapped an eight-game losing streak against the sputtering Boston Celtics with a 100-88 victory Sunday.

Al Harrington added 30 for the Knicks, who hadn’t beaten Boston at Madison Square Garden since March 23, 2005.

Paul Pierce scored 31 points for the Celtics, who lost for the fourth time in six games after a 27-2 start. Ray Allen had 16, but Kevin Garnett, who seemed to hurt his right leg late in the third quarter, had only six points on one-for-six shooting with nine rebounds.

Lee had 14 points and 14 rebounds as he and Chandler, who scored 15 points in the decisive third quarter, consistently outworked Garnett and Boston’s front line. Meanwhile, the defending NBA champions lacked their usual poise, frequently yelling at each other or the officials.