Celtics (36-25) at Knicks (31-29) 4/16

[Tai]

Ray Allen to play. Very good news. 

[Fafnir]

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.

The Pacers are up 3 games in the loss column on the C's with 5 games to go. They'd have to go 2-3 and the C's go 5-0 to catch them for the C's to capture the three seed.

So honestly I'm not concerned about that, I'd just like to get the division fully nailed down and HCA in the first round secured as well (we're tied with both Orlando and Atlanta currently)

[Fafnir]

Not saying it will happen, but a nationally televised game vs the Knicks is historically the most likely situation for a Rondo triple-double.

Yeah but the Knicks don't play at a crazy pace anymore, so its less likely than in the past.

[Who]

Knicks are very short-handed. Boston should win this game comfortably.

[j804]

Knicks are very short-handed. Boston should win this game comfortably.

No Chandler?

[Fafnir]

Knicks are very short-handed. Boston should win this game comfortably.

No Chandler?

He's going play, though his knee is still hurting him from the Miami game.

[Marcus13]

Should be a good one;

Go Celtics!!

[j804]

Knicks are very short-handed. Boston should win this game comfortably.

No Chandler?

He's going play, though his knee is still hurting him from the Miami game.

Yea and Melo seems to be running on fumes just trying to keep the Knicks afloat must take advantage

[GreenFaith1819]

TP, FL!

Televised game? Check.

In NY? Check.

A bit of a rivalry? Check.

Playoff positioning at stake? Check.

Put Rondo down for a triple double, and expect big games from Avery, Pierce and Ray as we punish their perimeter defense.

[Eddie20]

Love Bass tonight. Either Fields or Anthony will be covering him.

[Who]

It's going to be very hard for New York to retain it's defense with Tyson Chandler defending Garnett. Pulling Tyson out of the paint will leave their interior defense (and rebounding) exposed. Especially with those smaller lineups with Melo at PF alongside three guards.

Landry Fields cannot defend Pierce either. Pierce is too strong, too skilled and too smart for a defender like Fields who does well as an over-sized two but struggles when pitted against legit SFs (especially a power three like Pierce). Pierce should get a lot of joy against Fields.

It'll be very tough for this Knicks team to hang in there against the Celtics.

[GreenFaith1819]

It's going to be very hard for New York to retain it's defense with Tyson Chandler defending Garnett. Pulling Tyson out of the paint will leave their interior defense (and rebounding) exposed. Especially with those smaller lineups with Melo at PF alongside three guards.

Landry Fields cannot defend Pierce either. Pierce is too strong, too skilled and too smart for a defender like Fields who does well as an over-sized two but struggles when pitted against legit SFs (especially a power three like Pierce). Pierce should get a lot of joy against Fields.

It'll be very tough for this Knicks team to hang in there against the Celtics.

Didn't even think about this - TP.

Yet another advantage of having KG at Center...Tyson Chandler was perhaps the biggest reason to give me pause tonight.

Thank You, KG - for your move to Center.

[Mr October]

I love this team. Just got to contain Melo's scoring rampage (at least shut him down in the 4th).

Go Celtics!

[j804]

It's going to be very hard for New York to retain it's defense with Tyson Chandler defending Garnett. Pulling Tyson out of the paint will leave their interior defense (and rebounding) exposed. Especially with those smaller lineups with Melo at PF alongside three guards.

Landry Fields cannot defend Pierce either. Pierce is too strong, too skilled and too smart for a defender like Fields who does well as an over-sized two but struggles when pitted against legit SFs (especially a power three like Pierce). Pierce should get a lot of joy against Fields.

It'll be very tough for this Knicks team to hang in there against the Celtics.

Didn't even think about this - TP.

Yet another advantage of having KG at Center...Tyson Chandler was perhaps the biggest reason to give me pause tonight.

Thank You, KG - for your move to Center.

The even better thing is he still can't cheat off even if Steamboats in there he will bury that midrange shot. 

[j804]

I want to see Avery and Rondo make life miserable for Baron Davis.