NEW YORK (AP) – Zach Randolph scored 23 points, Nate Robinson added 20 and the New York Knicks shut out Boston’s Big Three in the fourth quarter of a 94-87 victory Monday night.

The Knicks avenged a 40-point loss in Boston and dominated the battle of the benches behind Robinson, who sparked a first-half spurt that gave New York the lead for good. And when the Celtics got close in the fourth quarter, he made a layup and 3-pointer in a span of about 40 seconds that pushed the lead back to 10 midway through the period.

Paul Pierce scored 29 points, Kevin Garnett had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Ray Allen added 12 points for the Celtics, who lost their second straight preseason game after winning their first three. None of them scored in the fourth quarter and Allen shot just 3-for-13 and Garnett fouled out.

The Celtics beat the Knicks 101-61 last Wednesday, with the New York shooting 26 percent and putting nobody in double figures. The Knicks hit 61 points this time just over three minutes into the third quarter.

David Lee had 13 points and 14 rebounds and Stephon Marbury added 15 points for the Knicks.

Noticeable boos were directed toward coach Isiah Thomas before the game, which featured the first appearance of many Knicks season ticket holders and Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan in his seat behind the baseline, since a jury found that Thomas and MSG sexually harassed former team executive Anucha Browne Sanders.

Tickets for the Oct. 11 exhibition home opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv weren’t part of the ticket package, and most of the fans that night were here to support the Israeli team and paid little attention to Thomas or the Knicks.

Allen landed hard after a foul by Jamal Crawford, hitting his elbow on the base of the backboard stanchion. The players came together and there was some grabbing – Pierce appeared to have his hand around Crawford’s chin – but no punches were thrown and there were no technicals called.

Trailing by three late in the first quarter, the Knicks got a boost from Robinson. He made a jumper and found Lee for a bucket that gave New York a 29-28 lead after one, then he had three baskets and assisted on three others as the Knicks pushed the lead to 45-30 with 7:59 remaining in the half.

Most of that run came with Garnett and Pierce on the bench. The Knicks led 55-46 at halftime.

Pierce scored 18 points in the third quarter, when the Celtics went 13-of-16 from the foul line to cut the deficit to 77-72 heading to the fourth.

AP-ES-10-22-07 2237EDT