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Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« on: April 16, 2012, 10:26:33 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Boston Celtics (36-25)  at New York Knicks (31-29)
Tuesday, April 17
8:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #61 – Road Game #31
TV:  TNT, NBAC, CSNNE 
Radio: WEEI, WEPN
Madison Square Garden




Probable Starters
 
PG: #9 Rajon Rondo .................................................... SG: #0  Avery Bradley

C: #5 Kevin Garnett 

SF: #34 Paul Pierce .............................................. PF #30 Brandon Bass 
Celtics Reserves
Marquis Daniels
Mickael Pietrus
Keyon Dooling
E'twaun Moore
Greg Stiemsma
JaJuan Johnson
Ryan Hollins
Sasha Pavlovic

Injuries

Jermaine O'Neal (wrist) out
Ray Allen (ankle) day to day
Paul Pierce (toe) probable
Brandon Bass (knee) probable





Probable Starters
 
PG: #21  Iman Shumpert ............................................  SG:#85 Baron Davis

C: #6 Tyson Chandler
 
SF: #7 Carmelo Anthony ............................................. PF: #2 Landry Fields
Knicks Reserves
Bill Walker
Steve Novak
Mike Bibby
JR Smith
Jerome Jordan
Josh Harrellson
Toney Douglas

Injuries
Jeremy Lin (knee) out
Amare Stoudamire (back) day to day
Tyson Chandler (knee) probable

Game Notes
This is the 4th and final meeting between these two division rivals this season.  The Celtics lead the series 2-1.  The Knicks won the first game of the season.  In that game, the Celtics were without Paul Pierce and Sasha Pavlovic started and had to try to guard Melo.  The Celtics won the next two games in Boston. The difference in all 3 games was just a total of 8 points so every game has come down to the final minute. 

New York is closing out a 3 game home stand while the Celtics are finishing up a 4 game road trip and playing in the 6th game in 8 nights.  Paul Pierce and KG didn't travel with the team to Charlotte and so should be rested and ready to play.  Ray Allen is meeting the team in New York but no news as to whether he will be playing.  Amare Stoudamire is also close to a return and barring a setback, could come back in this game or Wednesday for the Knicks.   

This game has all kinds of playoff implications with both teams battling for playoff position.  The Celtics are in the 4th spot, 3 games behind Indiana.  They are tied with Atlanta and Orlando who are in the 5th and 6th spots.  And they are 4.5 ahead of both New York and Philly who are in the 7th and 8th spots.  New York is 2 games ahead of the Bucks who are in the 9th spot. 

The Celtics are 7-3 in their last 10 and the Knicks are 6-4 in their last 10.  The Celtics are 15-16 on the road while the Knicks are 20-11 at home.  The Celtics are looking for their 3rd straight win while the Knicks lost their last time out to the Heat and are looking to get back on track.  The Celtics need to bring their A game as this is an important game for both teams and the Knicks are sure to bring theirs. 

Key Matchups
  vs 
Kevin Garnett vs Tyson Chandler 
This will be a battle between two tough defenders.  Chandler limped through the end of Sunday's game vs Miami after bruising his knee.  He was sore afterward but said he expected to play in this game.  KG is the reigning player of the week and should be rested after getting the game off vs the Bobcats.  This should be a fun matchup to watch. 

  vs 
Paul Pierce vs Carmelo Anthony
This is a tough match up for both players and both have come up big for their teams in this matchup.  The only game the Knicks won this season was the first one in which Pierce didn't play.  Melo has averaged 32 points and 6 rebounds in the 3 meetings while Pierce averaged 32 points and 7 rebounds in the two games he has played.  Pierce should be rested and hopefully he won't be feeling any ill effects from the toe injury.  With Amare out, Melo has had to shoulder a large share of the scoring and leadership for the team and that could start wearing on him. 

vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Iman Shumpert
Rondo has faced a different point guard in each matchup with the Knicks but he's played very well against them all.  He has averaged 18.7 points, 13.3 assists and 9.0 rebounds in the 3 meetings.  With this being on national TV,  I expect another big game from Rondo.   

Keys to the Game
Start Fast and Don't Let Up The Celtics have to come out of the gates quickly and not give the Knicks a chance to gain confidence.  And the Celtics have to play 48 minutes and not let up.  They have to establish dominance and not give the Knicks any hope they can win this. 

Defense
- The Knicks have been playing good defense since Woodson took over as coach but they still aren't on the Celtics level defensively. They are ranked 11th in points allowed (94.3) and 9th in FG% allowed (43.8%) while the Celtics are ranked 3rd in points allowed (89.4) and 1st in FG% allowed (41.7%).  The Celtics have to make defense their priority and when they do, good things happen. 

Rebound
- The Celtics are no longer the worst rebounding team in the league.  They've moved up to 28, averaging 39.1 rebounds per game.  The Knicks are ranked 14th, pulling down 42.4 rebounds per game.   The Celtics have got to crash the boards as a team and win the battle on the glass if they want to win this game. 

Be Aggressive - The Celtics must be the more aggressive team.  They have to be aggressive in going to the hoop and not settle for jumpers, especially if the jumpers aren't falling.  They must be aggressive on the boards and in going after loose balls and winning the 50/50 plays.  The more aggressive team gets the calls from the officials and that will be important in this game. 

X-Factors
Fatigue, Injuries and Officiating
The Celtics are playing in their 6th game in 8 nights and in their 4th straight on the road and they may be mentally fatigued as much as physically fatigued.   But the big 3 should be rested as they had the last game off.  Injuries could be a factor if Pierce is limited,  if Ray can't play, if Amare is back, or if Chandler is limited. Both teams are a bit banged up and will need to play through the injuries.    Another factor could be the officiating.  If this game is close as the others have been, if the officials are leaning toward one team or the other, it could make a difference.   

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2012, 10:31:18 PM »

Offline azzenfrost

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With our triggers coming in well rested for this game, I have my hopes up and expecting a win.
I moved the cheese.

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2012, 10:33:30 PM »

Offline CelticG1

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Are the Knicks the most unlikable team in the NBA? Especially now that Lin is out?

I guess losing D'Antoni makes them a tick more likable

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2012, 10:36:51 PM »

Offline Celtics18

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If that is indeed the starting lineup for the Knicks, I would certainly guard Rondo with Shumpert.  Conversely, I would put Bradley on Davis.  I think Iman Shumpert has quietly been making an Avery Bradley type name for himself as a gritty defender in NY.  

Regardless of whether or not they go head to head, Shumpert vs. Bradley is the key matchup for me.
DKC Seventy-Sixers:

PG: G. Hill/D. Schroder
SG: C. Lee/B. Hield/T. Luwawu
SF:  Giannis/J. Lamb/M. Kuzminskas
PF:  E. Ilyasova/J. Jerebko/R. Christmas
C:    N. Vucevic/K. Olynyk/E. Davis/C. Jefferson

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #4 on: April 16, 2012, 11:31:20 PM »

Offline apc

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should be another great game.
Knicks vs. Celtics match has turned into something wroth waiting for.

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2012, 12:58:06 AM »

Offline ACF

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TP. Go Celtics!

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2012, 03:47:47 AM »

Offline celticslove

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Let's go team! let's keep the momentum going. :)

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #7 on: April 17, 2012, 03:53:40 AM »

Online hwangjini_1

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So far the celtics are doing well through a terrible schedule the past week or so.

So..... Keep it up and stomp the Knicks!!!

Go celtics!!!
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Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #8 on: April 17, 2012, 04:13:35 AM »

Offline j804

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Meh not scared of NY they beat teams with Melo iso ball Doc will not let that happen if he gets going

You stop the head the body falls -in my Greg Williams voice lol
"7ft PG. Rondo leaves and GUESS WHAT? We got a BIGGER point guard!"-Tommy on Olynyk


Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2012, 09:58:16 AM »

Offline LooseCannon

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Not saying it will happen, but a nationally televised game vs the Knicks is historically the most likely situation for a Rondo triple-double.
"The worst thing that ever happened in sports was sports radio, and the internet is sports radio on steroids with lower IQs.” -- Brian Burke, former Toronto Maple Leafs senior adviser, at the 2013 MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2012, 10:38:45 AM »

Offline Celticsdiva

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Here in NYC, ppl are still clinging to hope that the knicks can go 6-0 and the celts go 0-5 for the knicks to win the division ::). Let's shut that down tonight! Come on Celtics!

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #11 on: April 17, 2012, 11:06:33 AM »

Online letsgoblue86

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Ray is playing tonight, so I look for a comfortable game...unless Melo has a vintage "Celtics-Knicks" performance.

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #12 on: April 17, 2012, 11:19:31 AM »

Offline WeMadeIt17

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Have a feeling The boys are going to whoop up on the Knicks.. The big 3 have had some good rest and Rondo bradley and bass are coming off strong games against the bobcats. I also have to say that avery is quickly becoming one of my favortie players on this team. He plays such great d and has helped on the offensive end as well.

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2012, 11:37:31 AM »

Offline Employee8

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Can we clinch the division tonight with a win over the Knicks and a loss by the Sixers?

Right now we're 4 games up on both teams.  If we beat the Knicks and the Sixers lose, we'll be 5 games up on them with 4 games left to go.  Right?

Let's get the Atlantic.  And once we do, let's focus on the Eastern Conference!!  GO CELTICS.

Re: Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16
« Reply #14 on: April 17, 2012, 11:47:41 AM »

Online letsgoblue86

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Can we clinch the division tonight with a win over the Knicks and a loss by the Sixers?

Right now we're 4 games up on both teams.  If we beat the Knicks and the Sixers lose, we'll be 5 games up on them with 4 games left to go.  Right?

Let's get the Atlantic.  And once we do, let's focus on the Eastern Conference!!  GO CELTICS.
You are correct, if we win and Sixers lose we get the division.  Unfortunately though, a loss for the Sixers would be a win for the Pacers.