- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 463,106
- Reaction score
- 44
The defending champion Boston Celtics and their quest to repeat rolls on.
After dispatching the Orlando Magic in five games in the first round of the playoffs, the No. 2 Celtics now have a date against the No. 3 New York Knicks, who had to grind out their series against the young Detroit Pistons.
New York had to expend a lot of energy to get past Detroit, needing to come from behind in the fourth quarter in three of its four victories. And the games were hard-fought and tight, too; the last four games of the series were decided by nine points, combined.
ANALYSIS: Against the loaded Celtics, the Knicks need much more from Karl-Anthony Towns
ANALYSIS: Gregg Popovich's impact on the Spurs and NBA was immense. Six ways he left his footprint.
Here's everything you need to know about the first-round series between the No. 3 New York Knicks and No. 2 Boston Celtics:
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns: Yes, Jalen Brunson is the steady, clutch, volume scorer that New York will rely on to stress Boston's defense. But the Knicks will need Towns to be assertive both in the paint and from the perimeter. Several times in the first round, Towns was more of an afterthought, ranking fourth on the team in a few games in field-goal attempts. New York will not have a chance if Towns isn't averaging in the mid-20s in points per game.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum: He did miss Game 2 of the first round against the Magic with a wrist injury, but Tatum closed the series strong, averaging 36 points over the final three games. The most impressive part about Tatum's final games in the Magic series was how aggressive he was and how often he got to the line; across Games 3, 4 and 5, he attempted 37 free throws, making every one.
How the Knicks will win: New York appeared to solve its third quarter issues against the Pistons in the decisive Game 6 victory, but it cannot afford to suffer such lapses against Boston. The Knicks also will need to reduce turnovers and, ideally, get more from their bench.
How the Celtics will win: The Celtics handled the Magic, a very good defensive team, with relative ease. The Knicks do present a little more length in defensive matchups, with OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges likely matching up against Tatum and Jaylen Brown. As long as Boston maintains its defensive intensity and continues to share the ball, it should have enough firepower to head to its fourth consecutive Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics swept all four games of the regular-season series against the Knicks.
A hamstring injury has sidelined Boston guard Jrue Holiday for three games this postseason. Head coach Joe Mazzulla wouldn't confirm whether Holiday will be back in the lineup against the Knicks in Monday's opener, but he has said that Holiday has been doing everything in Celtics practice ahead of the Knicks series.
“Day-to-day," Mazzulla said on a Friday call with reporters. "Just getting better every day. Doing whatever he can to make sure he puts himself in position to come back as fast as he can. He’s working hard.”
LorenzoReyes: Celtics in 5
Heather Tucker: Celtics in 5
James Williams: Celtics in 6
Jeff Zillgitt: Celtics in 6
Game 1: Knicks at Celtics | Monday, May 5, 7 p.m. | TNT
Game 2: Knicks at Celtics | Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m. | TNT
Game 3: Celtics at Knicks | Saturday, May 10, TBD | ABC
Game 4: Celtics at Knicks | Monday, May 12, TBD | ESPN
Game 5: Knicks at Celtics | Wednesday, May 14, TBD | TNT*
Game 6: Celtics at Knicks | Friday, May 16, TBD | ESPN*
Game 7: Knicks at Celtics | Monday, May 19, 8 p.m. | TNT*
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
Oct. 22: Celtics 132, Knicks 109
Feb. 8: Celtics 131, Knicks 104
Feb. 23: Celtics 118, Knicks 105
April 8: Celtics 119, Knicks 117 (OT)
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Knicks vs. Celtics: Players to watch, predictions, TV schedule
Continue reading...
After dispatching the Orlando Magic in five games in the first round of the playoffs, the No. 2 Celtics now have a date against the No. 3 New York Knicks, who had to grind out their series against the young Detroit Pistons.
New York had to expend a lot of energy to get past Detroit, needing to come from behind in the fourth quarter in three of its four victories. And the games were hard-fought and tight, too; the last four games of the series were decided by nine points, combined.
ANALYSIS: Against the loaded Celtics, the Knicks need much more from Karl-Anthony Towns
ANALYSIS: Gregg Popovich's impact on the Spurs and NBA was immense. Six ways he left his footprint.
Here's everything you need to know about the first-round series between the No. 3 New York Knicks and No. 2 Boston Celtics:
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics most important players to watch
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns: Yes, Jalen Brunson is the steady, clutch, volume scorer that New York will rely on to stress Boston's defense. But the Knicks will need Towns to be assertive both in the paint and from the perimeter. Several times in the first round, Towns was more of an afterthought, ranking fourth on the team in a few games in field-goal attempts. New York will not have a chance if Towns isn't averaging in the mid-20s in points per game.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum: He did miss Game 2 of the first round against the Magic with a wrist injury, but Tatum closed the series strong, averaging 36 points over the final three games. The most impressive part about Tatum's final games in the Magic series was how aggressive he was and how often he got to the line; across Games 3, 4 and 5, he attempted 37 free throws, making every one.
How will the Celtics or Knicks win
How the Knicks will win: New York appeared to solve its third quarter issues against the Pistons in the decisive Game 6 victory, but it cannot afford to suffer such lapses against Boston. The Knicks also will need to reduce turnovers and, ideally, get more from their bench.
How the Celtics will win: The Celtics handled the Magic, a very good defensive team, with relative ease. The Knicks do present a little more length in defensive matchups, with OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges likely matching up against Tatum and Jaylen Brown. As long as Boston maintains its defensive intensity and continues to share the ball, it should have enough firepower to head to its fourth consecutive Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics swept all four games of the regular-season series against the Knicks.
Health update
A hamstring injury has sidelined Boston guard Jrue Holiday for three games this postseason. Head coach Joe Mazzulla wouldn't confirm whether Holiday will be back in the lineup against the Knicks in Monday's opener, but he has said that Holiday has been doing everything in Celtics practice ahead of the Knicks series.
“Day-to-day," Mazzulla said on a Friday call with reporters. "Just getting better every day. Doing whatever he can to make sure he puts himself in position to come back as fast as he can. He’s working hard.”
The stat to know
- The starting five from the New York Knicks of Brunson, Anunoby, Bridges, Towns and Josh Hart led the NBA for five-man lineups in minutes played (940), points (2,283), field goals made (868) and attempted (1,718), 3-pointers made (220) and attempted (605), rebounds (815) and assists (574).
You must be registered for see images attach
Knicks vs. Celtics predictions by USA Today Sports
LorenzoReyes: Celtics in 5
Heather Tucker: Celtics in 5
James Williams: Celtics in 6
Jeff Zillgitt: Celtics in 6
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics schedule
Game 1: Knicks at Celtics | Monday, May 5, 7 p.m. | TNT
Game 2: Knicks at Celtics | Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m. | TNT
Game 3: Celtics at Knicks | Saturday, May 10, TBD | ABC
Game 4: Celtics at Knicks | Monday, May 12, TBD | ESPN
Game 5: Knicks at Celtics | Wednesday, May 14, TBD | TNT*
Game 6: Celtics at Knicks | Friday, May 16, TBD | ESPN*
Game 7: Knicks at Celtics | Monday, May 19, 8 p.m. | TNT*
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics season series
Oct. 22: Celtics 132, Knicks 109
Feb. 8: Celtics 131, Knicks 104
Feb. 23: Celtics 118, Knicks 105
April 8: Celtics 119, Knicks 117 (OT)
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Knicks vs. Celtics: Players to watch, predictions, TV schedule
Continue reading...
