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New York Knicks (42-39) at Boston Celtics (55-26)
Wednesday, April 13
8:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #82, Home Game #41
TV: CSNNE, MSG, LP 750-751
Radio: WEEI
TD Garden Probable StartersPG SG SF PF CPG: Carlos Arroyo
SG: Von Wafer
SF: Jeff Green
PF: Glen Davis
C: Nenad Krstic
Celtics ReservesJermaine O'Neal
Avery Bradley
Troy Murphy
Sasha Pavlovic
Paul Pierce
Rajon Rondo
Ray Allen
Kevin Garnett
Injured Shaquille O'Neal (calf) day to day
Delonte West (ankle) day to day
PG SG SF PF CPG: Toney Douglas
SG: Roger Mason, Jr
SF: Bill Walker
PF: Shawne Williams
C: Ronny Turiaf
Knicks ReservesDerrick Brown
Carmelo Anthony
Jared Jeffries
Shelden Williams
Landry Fields
Toney Douglas
Anthony Carter
Renaldo Balkman
Chauncey Billups
Injuries Amar'e Stoudamire (ankle) day to day
Andy Rautins (knee) out
Team ConnectionsDoc Rivers played for the Knicks from 1992‐95
Bill Walker was a member of the Celtics from 2008‐10
Amar’e Stoudemire and Shaquille O’Neal were teammates in Phoenix from 2008‐09
Shaquille O’Neal played for Mike D’Antoni from the end of the 2007‐08 season and all of the 2008‐09 season in Phoenix
Toney Douglas and Von Wafer both attended Florida State University
Chauncey Billups was drafted by the Celtics and played for them in the 1997‐98 season
Chauncey Billups played with Celtics Assistant Coach Roy Rogers in Boston and Toronto during the 1997‐98 season
Shelden Williams played for the Celtics during the 2009‐10 season
Toney Douglas and Von Wafer both attended Florida State University
Jared Jeffries and Celtics Assistant Coach Lawrence Frank both attended Indiana Universtiy
Shawne Williams and Troy Murphy were teammates in Indiana from 2006‐08.
Anthony Carter and Kevin Garnett were teammates in Minnesota from 2004‐2006..
Anthony Carter and Von Wafer were teammates in Denver during the 2007‐08 season.
Game NotesThis is a preview of the first round of the playoffs, kind of. The Knicks are playing in back to back games and they played their starters in the first game vs the Bulls. Knowing that the Celtics are sitting their stars, expect the Knicks to do the same. I am just taking a wild guess as to who they are going to start as they don't have a starting lineup for this game listed in their media notes as yet but I'm pretty sure it won't be their regular starters.
With nothing to prove or accomplish in this game for either team, the best thing that will come of it is that the Celtics reserves, many of whom are new to the team since the trade deadline, will get some much needed playing time and hopefully gain confidence and experience in the Celtics system. It may be to some extent a preview of the depth of both teams as the reserves for both teams battle each other.
The Knicks are just 19-21 on the road while the Celtics are 32-8 at home. The Celtics are 5-5 in their last 10 games while the Knicks are 7-3 in their last 10. The Knicks had won 7 in a row before losing on Tuesday to the Bulls. The Celtics have lost 2 in a row, with the last loss coming from the reserves against the Wizards on Monday.
This should be a game that proves nothing but will give the Celtics reserves some very valuable experience and playing time and will give the Celtics starters some very much needed rest. Let the playoffs begin!!
Key Matchups vs
Jeff Green vs Bill Walker
Green was impressive in his first start against the Wizards. Getting him more experience and confidence in the Celtics' system is key in this game. Walker played very well against the Bulls on Tuesday night and so this should be an interesting matchup.
vs
Von Wafer vs Roger Mason, Jr
With Delonte's status unknown, the Celtics may need Wafer in the playoffs. After the disastrous dunk attempt in the last game he needs to have a good game to build his confidence in case he is needed in the playoffs.
Keys to the GameDefense - This will be the classic battle between offense vs defense. Even if it is the second and third strings against each other, the Celtics must play defense. The Celtics second unit has to be strong when they come in the games and so this will be very good experience for them and they need to prove they can defend well.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics are best when they take the ball to the basket and either get the score or the foul or kick the ball out for an open shot. They also have to be aggressive in going after loose balls and rebounds. The Celtics reserves have been inconsistent in this area in recent games and so it will be good for them to build this mindset in this game.
Confidence - Just as important as resting the starters, the playing time that the bench players get will go a long way to build their confidence going into the playoffs. The Celtics reserves have been very inconsistent and they have to use this opportunity to their advantage and be aggressive and build their confidence going into the playoffs.
X-FactorTeam Depth
Since the Knicks are playing in back to back games and their starters played against Bulls on Tuesday night, I expect them to sit their starters in this one. Doc has already said that he will be resting his starters again, including Jermaine O'Neal. With reserves playing against reserves the deeper team will more than likely get the win.