BOSTON--The New York Knicks' brief winning streak is history, and the Boston Celtics nearly made history ending it.

The Celtics cruised to one of the easiest victories ever last night, beating New York 104-59 to send the Knicks to their third-worst loss and their second-worst scoring performance of the shot-clock era.

Only Nate Robinson's 37-foot 3-pointer at the final buzzer saved the Knicks from scoring the fewest points in franchise history. That might not be enough to save coach Isiah Thomas from getting fired: He was all-but-gone during an eight-game losing streak, before earning a reprieve with two straight wins.

Now the Knicks are embarrassing themselves again. And, unlike the Boston area's NFL team, the Celtics didn't even try to run up the score.

Kevin Garnett played just 22 minutes, scoring eight points before leaving the game midway through the third quarter with Boston ahead 69-34. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen also sat out the fourth quarter and played 29 minutes apiece. And Rajon Rondo dribbled out 24 of the final 26 seconds, turning the ball over on purpose rather than go for a 50-point win.

Robinson followed with long jumper off the inbound pass to save the Knicks from their lowest-scoring game in the shot clock era. The basket gave Robinson 11 points--the only New York player in double figures.

Pierce and Allen scored 21 apiece and Garnett finished with 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who were coming off an overtime loss at Cleveland--just their second defeat of the season. Boston improved to 8-0 at home, and the Knicks remained winless on the road.

NEW YORK (59)

Richardson 3-12 0-0 7, Randolph 1-10 2-2 4, Curry 2-11 0-0 4, Marbury 2-6 0-0 4, Crawford 4-8 0-0 8, Lee 0-2 4-6 4, Jeffries 2-3 0-0 4, Balkman 3-5 0-0 6, Robinson 4-10 2-3 11, Jones 1-4 0-0 2, Rose 1-5 3-6 5. Totals 23-76 11-17 59.

BOSTON (104)

Pierce 6-16 5-6 21, Garnett 2-5 4-4 8, Perkins 2-4 1-2 5, Rondo 5-8 0-0 10, R.Allen 8-14 3-3 21, Davis 4-6 5-10 13, Scalabrine 1-4 0-0 3, Posey 0-3 0-0 0, House 5-8 0-0 15, Pruitt 1-6 0-0 2, Powe 3-5 0-0 6. Totals 37-79 18-25 104.

New York

16

15

10

18--

59

Boston

27

27

28

22--

104

3-Point Goals--New York 2-10 (Robinson 1-2, Richardson 1-4, Marbury 0-1, Jones 0-1, Crawford 0-2), Boston 12-22 (House 5-6, Pierce 4-8, R.Allen 2-5, Scalabrine 1-1, Pruitt 0-1, Posey 0-1). Fouled Out--House. Rebounds--New York 46 (Richardson 9), Boston 62 (Garnett 11). Assists--New York 12 (Jones 4), Boston 27 (Rondo 7). Total Fouls--New York 22, Boston 24. A--18,624 (18,624).