Amar'e Stoudemire is sure the Celtics now respect the Knicks after their thrilling game on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

"I guarantee you that Boston respects us," Stoudemire said.

Leading up to the game, the Celtics questioned the status of a rivalry between the two teams because of their success and New York's struggles.

"They wanted it," Paul Pierce bellowed after hitting a dagger with less than a second left to give Boston a 118-116 victory.