The New York Knicks prepare for a measuring stick game against the Boston Celtics.
The New York Knicks will try and avenge the defeat they suffered early this season against the Boston Celtics in what will be another early measuring stick game in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics have looked solid early and their entire starting lineup is capable of shooting the 3 consistently and their ball movement has been fluid.
As for the Knicks, they are a team that should not be underestimated. Jalen Brunson has been great so far and has emerged as the unquestioned leader of the team as he leads the 5-4 Knicks into a hostile TD Garden.
A rundown on the New York Knicks
The Knicks have won six of the last 10 games against their long-time rivals and they only lost the last matchup by four points. The Knicks are deep and take pride in playing scrappy, hard-nosed defense. Donte DiVicenzo was a great addition as he does all of the small things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.
Whenever he is on the floor, he elevates the Knicks’ level of play with his hustle, rebounding, running the floor in transition, anticipating passing lanes, and helping on the defensive end. If Julius Randle plays smarter and is willing to be more aggressive in the paint, then the Knicks could be better off as he is a dangerous post threat. His shot selection has been questionable as of late as he is shooting 34 percent overall and shooting an abysmal 26 percent from behind the arc.
His scoring average has also decreased from 25.1 to 17.2 per game and Randle has to be more aware of the shots he is taking and become more efficient. He will have to be on point against the Celtics who owns the 3rd best defensive rating in the NBA. Randle and Brunson had a combined 29 points in their last game versus the Celtics and both players will have to produce in order for the Knicks to have a chance.
If the duo struggles to score again, they will have to find other ways to impact the game and try to get their teammates involved. Even when Randle struggles from the field he often makes up for it with his rebounding and assist totals. Immanuel Quickley has easily been the Knicks’ best player off the bench and is instant offense whenever he enters the game.
Quickley scored 24 points in 28 minutes the last time these two teams met and the Knicks will need his scoring prowess once again if they hope to get an important win against their division rival.
A rundown on the Boston Celtics
This year’s version of the Celtics appears to be more focused and more engaged. Jayson Tatum is playing and looking like a bonafide superstar as he is easily getting to his spots and clamping down on the defensive end but it has been the overall effort by the Celtics that has been impressive.
They are 3rd in opponents’ points off turnovers, 3rd in 2nd chance points allowed, 10th in opponents fast break points, and 4th in points allowed in the paint. The Celtics’ big 3 of Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis combined for 77 points during the Celtics’ last game against the Toronto Raptors as they were able to dominate from start to finish as they kept their foot on the gas and came out with the win.
The Celtics could have trouble scoring as they did in their last matchup against the Knicks who are one of the slower-paced teams in the league. The Celtics only scored 108 points while they average 120.2 points per game which is good for 4th in the NBA. But the Celtics are just as good on defense as they only allow opponents 106.8 points per contest.
Sam Hauser has been on a roll and is proving to be one of the better shooters in the league. He is shooting a red-hot 45.3 percent from downtown and making 2.7 3-pointers per game. Hauser has scored double-digit points in his last four games and he could be the difference-maker if this game is close.
Porzingis poured in 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds during their last matchup against the Knicks as he punished his former team. If he has another performance like that again, it could be a long game for the Knicks.
Key Matchup: RJ Barrett vs. Jayson Tatum
RJ Barrett has emerged as the Knicks’ leading scorer averaging 22.6 points per game. Now in his 5th season, he is beginning to show confidence and that he is capable of taking his game to the next level. He will have to contend with an MVP candidate in Tatum who dropped a season-high 34 points the last time these two played each other.
If Barrett is able to force Tatum into taking contested shots late into the shot clock, he could have some success. It’s highly unlikely that Barrett will be able to stop Tatum from scoring but he can try and limit him by denying him the ball at times and being physical. Barrett was able to carry the scoring load last time but he will need more help from Brunson and Randle this time around.
Prediction: Even though the Knicks are playing better lately, they still have to improve in key areas in order to be considered contenders. They have the talent and the coaches just have to figure it out. However, the Celtics are on a roll and their chemistry and cohesion may be difficult to overcome.
These games are usually close between the Celtics and Knicks and this one will probably go down to the wire as well. The Celtics are 4-0 at TD Garden this season and it’s going to be a tall task for the Knicks to steal one in Boston.
Prediction: Celtics 117, Knicks 111