at
BostonCeltics (41-10) at NY Knicks (21-26)
Friday, February 6
7:30 PM ET
Game #52, Road Game #25
TV: MSG, CSN HD, NBA LP 753
Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden is known worldwide as one of the most popular arenas. For more than 125 years there have been four different Madison Square Garden’s in New York City. The first located at Madison Avenue and 26th Street was used for track cycling between 1879 until 1890. The second Madison Square Garden was constructed in 1890 on the same location as the first. It hosted many events but was demolished in 1925. Located at 50th Street and 8th Avenue, the third Madison Square Garden became the home of the New York Rangers (NHL) in 1926 and the New York Knicks in 1946Probable Starting Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Chris Duhon
vs
Ray Allen vs Quentin Richardson
vs
Paul Pierce vs Al Harrington
vs
Kevin Garnett vs David Lee
vs
Kendrick Perkins vs Jared Jeffries
Reserves Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
Patrick O'Bryant
InjuriesBrian Scalabrine (concussion) out
Kevin Garnett (flu) will play
Ray Allen (flu) will play
Tony Allen (flu) will play
Reserves Malik Rose
Al Harrington
Tim Thomas
Danilo Gallinari
Jerome James
Anthony Roberson
Eddie Curry
Stephon Marbury
Nate Robinson
Cuttino Mobley
Injuries Jerome James (Achilles) out
Eddie Curry (knee) out
Stephon Marbury (pride) out
Matchups to Watch vs
Ray Allen vs Quentin Richardson
Quentin Richardson has been very vocal in his dislike of the Celtics. In the last meeting between these two teams, Richardson was held to just 1-13 shooting and Ray will need to repeat that defensive effort in this game as well.
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Chris Duhon
Rajon Rondo has averaged 20.5 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the two wins versus the Knicks this year. In the loss, he scored just 3 points on 1-7 shooting. After their victory, the Knicks boasted the blueprint to beat the Celtics was simply to stop Rondo.
Honorable MentionKevin Garnett vs David Lee
David Lee is a tough player who plays with a lot of heart but if KG decides to take over a game there is not much that David Lee or anyone else can do. Lee will make KG work on the defensive end as well as he looks to score whenever given an opening.
Team Connections:Jerome James and Ray Allen were teammates in Seattle
Doc played for the Knicks from 1992-1995
Tom Thibodeau was the Knicks' assistant coach from 1996-2000
Stephon Marbury and Kevin Garnett were teammates in Minnesota
Stephon Marbury and Ray Allen were traded for each other in 1996
Quentin Richardson and Eddie House were teammates with the Clippers
Eddie House played for Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix
Tim Thomas and Ray Allen were teammates in Milwaukee
Tim Thomas and Sam Cassell were teammates with the Bucks and the Clippers.
Marbury wants to play for the Celtics if he can manage a buyout from the Knicks.
Game Notes:
The Celtics are coming off a tough OT loss to the Lakers. The last time the Celtics lost to the Lakers they went into a tail spin. Hopefully this time they will just start a new win streak with more determination than ever.
Keys to the GameBe aggressive - set the tone
Rebound - Don't allow second chance points
Limit Turnovers - Don't give them extra possessions
Defense - Defense wins games along with Championships
X-FactorPayback The Celtics' January 4 loss to the Knicks remains their only divisional loss. The Celtics need to go into MSG and get this one to avenge their earlier loss as well as to not allow the Knicks any bragging rights in the division. On the other hand, the Knicks very much dislike the Celtics after a few humiliating losses to them and would love nothing better than to tie the season series and hand the Celtics another loss.