NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony had 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double, and the New York Knicks made 19 3-pointers Tuesday night to keep alive their Atlantic Division title hopes with a 118-110 victory against the Boston Celtics.

J.R. Smith and Steve Novak scored 25 points each for the Knicks, who overcame a season-high 43 points from Paul Pierce and moved into sole possession of seventh place in the Eastern Conference while trimming Boston’s division lead to 3½ games. The Celtics would have wrapped up their fifth straight Atlantic title with a victory.

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Paul Pierce, left, and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics look for a way to stop Carmelo Anthony, who had 35 points Tuesday for the Knicks. The Associated Press

Instead the Knicks staggered them with a record-tying 14 3-pointers in a 72-point first half and equaled their season high by finishing 19 of 32 behind the arc. They improved to 14-5 under interim coach Mike Woodson.

Kevin Garnett scored 20 points for the Celtics, who fell out of a three-way tie for fourth in the East with Atlanta and Orlando. Rajon Rondo had 13 points and 13 assists.

Playing without the injured Ray Allen, the Celtics got a brief scare in the third quarter when Rondo landed hard on his back going for a rebound and remained on the court for a few minutes while being attended to before remaining in the game.

Woodson repeatedly has said the division title was his goal, even though the Knicks’ 18-24 record when he took over always made that unlikely. Boston Coach Doc Rivers said he’s never talked to the Celtics about winning a division title or congratulated them for doing so, but there’s no doubt it’s worth having this season. Division winners are guaranteed to be seeded no worse than No. 4, avoiding Chicago or Miami until at least the second round.

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