BOSTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Eric Williams made the go-ahead three-pointer with 32 seconds remaining Wednesday night and the Boston Celtics hung on for their third straight win, a 101-100 victory over the New York Knicks.
A frenetic fourth quarter saw the Knicks take a 96-95 lead with 40 seconds to go on a three-pointer by Latrell Sprewell, who scored 17 points.
On the next possession, Williams -- who came in having made just seven of 33 three-pointers this season -- hit one from the arc for a 98-96 edge.
Allan Houston fumbled a pass for a turnover and the Knicks had to foul Paul Pierce, who made one of two free throws with 18 seconds remaining. Marcus Camby split a pair from the line and Erick Strickland made two, giving Boston a 101-97 lead with 10 seconds left.
Kurt Thomas made a three-pointer to pull the Knicks within a point with 3.3 seconds to play. Pierce eluded a foul attempt by Sprewell and passed to Williams, allowing time to run out.
Pierce scored 30 points and Tony Battie added a career-high 20 for the Celtics, who improved to 3-0 against the Knicks this season.
Houston scored 28 points for New York, which has lost six in a row.
Boston (23-14) has not made the playoffs since 1995 and New York (14-23) has not missed them since 1987. However, both those streaks appear to be in jeopardy.
