Last season, Brandon Bass led the Celtics (3-4) on the offensive glass with 1.6 per game.

“You’ve just got to know your teammates and be able to carve out space on the offensive end,” Sullinger said. “You know when somebody’s about to shoot, their go-to move. And the shot clock, you’ve just got to be ready.

“[Coach Doc Rivers] wants me to go every time. So, I’m always going to go; if I’m on the perimeter, maybe not. But if I’m in the paint I’m going to go, and my main goal is try to get the ball and get us extra production.”

Sullinger made his fifth start against the Knicks and could be in the starting lineup in the season-opener at Miami Oct. 30.

Careful trek

Kevin Garnett and captain Paul Pierce were both held out of action, and Bass (knee) and Darko Milicic (wrist) were rested. Bass, Garnett, and Milicic will be available for the final preseason contest against the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday. The status of Pierce (ankle) and recently-acquired guard Leandro Barbosa has not been determined.

Jeff Green scored 25 points and Jason Terry added 22 points as the Celtics overcame a 20-point first half deficit against the Knicks.

“I liked the small lineup stuff,” Rivers said. “We told the guys going into the game we were basically going to run pick and roll game, no matter who’s on the floor. We just wanted to see different formations and we were going to run the pick and roll over and over again. ”