The Boston Celtics needed a bit of their patented “Irish” luck on Tuesday night to pull out a 96-93 victory over New York to take a 2-0 series lead in the opening round best-of-seven playoff matchup.

Kevin Garnett scored with 14 seconds remaining and then made a crucial steal with 0:04 left on the clock to seal the win. The Celtic triumph negated a career-tying playoff best 42 points from Knick Carmelo Anthony, who received little support from his teammates. Anthony also added 17 rebounds.

New York was without PG Chauncey Billups and without Amare Stoudemire in the 2nd-half due to back spasms. Billups, out with a strained knee ligament, is a game-time decision for Game 3, while Stoudemire expects to play.

Boston featured a balanced attack, led by Rajon Rondo’s 30 points, Paul Pierce’s 20 and Ray Allen with 18. Toney Douglas with 14 and Jared Jeffries with 10 points were the only Knicks besides Anthony to reach double figures.

Game Three is Friday night at Madison Square Garden.