On Monday night, the Celtics gave up a 20-point second-half lead in an eventual 108-105 loss to the New York Knicks.

It's not easy beating green, as the New York Knicks were far too willing to prove throughout last regular season. They pulled it off, however, when it mattered most. New York will have to duplicate the feat three more times for it to prove particularly memorable but their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the defending champion Boston Celtics got off to a sterling start via a 108-105 overtime victory in the Monday night opener at TD Garden.

The Celtics opened the Eastern Conference semifinals with a stunning defeat, blowing a 20-point second-half in an overtime loss to the Knicks.