Bust Out The Brooms

Head coach Doc Rivers hugs Ray Allen Sunday night after the Celtics defeated the Knicks 101-89. With the Game Four victory, Boston sweeps New York and advances to the second round where they will most likely clash with the ultra-talented yet untested Miami Heat.

When the NBA postseason seedings were first unveiled less than two weeks ago, many basketball prognosticators around the league predicted that the Celtics/ Knicks series would not only be one of the most intriguing matchups of the first round but also one of the longest.

So much for what talking heads have to say.

After two close victories to open the series, the championship chasing Boston Celtics held on to defeat the undermanned New York Knicks Sunday night, escaping Madison Square Garden with a 101-89 victory in the series clinching Game Four.

Despite hoisting Banner 17 in 2008 and reaching the Finals again last season, the first-round sweep of the Knicks is surprisingly the first of its kind for Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett together in Green. In fact, it also marks the first Celtics playoff sweep since Larry Bird and Co. made quick work of the Indiana Pacers in 1992.

"We haven't swept a team in a long time," said Rajon Rondo. "So it's a good feeling."

However, Game Four was not exactly an Easter cake-walk for the Green. Despite leading the Knicks by as many as 23 points, the Celtics became somewhat disinterested and saw their once-commanding lead reduced to just four points midway through the fourth quarter.

"We got away from what we call our formula," admitted head coach Doc Rivers. "We have one going into every game. We went to too much [isolation], too much post where they could see us and trap us. And that allowed them to trap."

Luckily, the Celtics were able to turn it back on and close out the Knicks for good.

"We just went back to doing what we were doing all of Game 3 and most of tonight," said Rivers. "And that was multiple options, let Rondo make the right decision."

While Rondo paced Boston's offense and finished with 21 points and 12 assists, Kevin Garnett poured in a series-high 26 points and 10 boards. The Celtics also shot 49% from the field (40/81) and held the Knicks to just 34% (30/88).

"This is what we expected coming in," said Rondo. "We knew it wasn't going to be easy... it's a good feeling being able to get some rest."

Getting rest appears to be a huge advantage and much-needed godsend for the veteran Celts as they prepare for the second-round of the playoffs. It gives the team a chance to re-charge their batteries and rest their aging stars, most notably Shaquille O' Neal.

And, while their opponent is still technically undetermined, it doesn't take a John Wooden-type mind to figure out who's next in line for the Celts.

Yup. You guessed it, the Miami Heat.

Although LeBron, Wade and Bosh lost Game Four Sunday night, they still possess a 3-1 lead over Philadelphia and even the least-knowledgeable basketball fan on the planet knows a '76ers comeback is all but impossible.

What we do know for sure is that while the Heat must play and win a Game Five in Miami Wednesday night, the surging Celtics can rest their tired legs, regroup and game-plan for what will surely be an epic Eastern Conference Semifinals.