The Knicks and Blazers will look back on the first two games of their first round series with regret over missed opportunities.

• Boston Celtics 96, New York Knicks 93

Carmelo Anthony had 42 points on 30 shots, playing about as well as he is humanly capable, but without Amar’e Stoudemire in the second half and on an 0-for-11 from Bill Walker, the Knicks return home down 0-2.

Rajon Rondo had 30 points, hitting on 10 of his 15 attempts around the bucket. It was Kevin Garnett who came up big in the end with what proved to be the winning bucket in the closing seconds.

While the Celtics still have problems at center and their bench isn’t giving them much, to see Rondo play with the type of aggression he displayed on Tuesday is highly encouraging for their title chances.

• Orlando Magic 88, Atlanta Hawks 82

This was an ugly game offensively all the way around, but Dwight Howard was once again a monster and the Magic were a +18 from the line.

Howard had 33 and 19, going 9-for-12 from the floor and 15-for-19 from the line. If Howard can sustain that type of efficiency from the free throw line, Orlando can get away with the 4-for-16, 4-for-15 and 3-for-12 posted by Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson respectively.

There is a lot that can happen with Dwight Howard over the next 14+ months, but games like this from his supporting cast do not bode well. 

• Dallas Mavericks 101, Portland Trail Blazers 89

While one of the main storylines is appropriately the discontent of Brandon Roy, I’m not sure it really matters how Nate McMillan treats him when Peja Stojakovic and Jason Kidd are combining to shoot 8-for-16 from distance.

Dirk Nowitzki had 33 points on just 22 shots thanks for a 15-for-17 from the line. 

Unfortunately for the Blazers, they largely matched the Mavericks in terms of shooting efficiency, but were a -7 on second chance points and -7 on points off turnovers as well.