Knicks (1-1) at Celtics (4-1) 10/17

[FLCeltsFan]

  AT 
 
New York Knicks (1-1) at Boston Celtics (4-1)
Friday, October 17
7:30 PM
TV:  CSN
Radio:  WEEI
TD Banknorth Garden

 
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
Rajon Rondo vs Chris Duhon
 
Shooting Guard
Ray Allen vs Jamal Crawford
 
Small Forward
Paul Pierce vs Quentin Richardson
 
Power Forward
Kevin Garnett vs David Lee
 
Center
Kendrick Perkins vs Zach Randolph

Celtics Bench
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
JR Giddens
Eddie House
Darius Miles
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
Patrick O'Bryant
 
Injuries
None

Knicks  Bench 
Stephon Marbury
Nate Robinson
Anthony Roberson
Patrick Ewing Jr
Dan Grunfeld
Wilson Chandler
Mardy Collins
Malik Rose
Eddy Curry
 
Injuries
Danilo Gallinari (back) doubtful
Jerome James (quad)  out
Allan Houston  (Quad)  out
Jared Jeffries  (fibula) out
 
For the third season in a row, the Celtics and Knicks will face each other in a home and home series in the preseason.  New York last won in Boston in 11/24/06 and the Celtics swept the series last season. 
 
The Knicks are entering a new era without Isiah Thomas at the helm.  It is certain that Mike D'Antoni will try to have them run and they have a new outlook.  However, they are still stuck with some of the players and big contracts that Isiah brought in and so they are sure to struggle again this season in spite of a new GM and a new coach. 
 
Matchup to Watch
Paul Pierce vs Quentin Richardson
Last season, the matchup between Paul Pierce and Quentin Richardson got very chippy.  At one point, QRich called Pierce out to fight him.  This is a matchup to watch as there is bad blood between these two players. 

[FLCeltsFan]

Sorry I couldn't post player pictures but I tried all morning and it just wouldn't post with the pictures in it.  Not sure why and Bob wasn't able to help with it either. So, for now, no photos.  I'll try to add them later. 

[Scalablob990]

Y'know people might kill me for this, but I kind of like nate robinson, he's a funny guy in a way.

[Donoghus]

I'll be there.  Not sure how long I'll stick around but it'll be good to see basketball live again.

[shookones99]

Y'know people might kill me for this, but I kind of like nate robinson, he's a funny guy in a way.

I like Nate Robinson too.  I think people think he is a bad guy because of his involvement in the brawl with the Nuggets.  He definitely seems like a funny guy.  I also think he could have a break out season this year in Dantoni's offense.

[Surferdad]

I missed the Nets game, but I'll be watching this one at least with one eye, while I pack for a weekend camping trip.  Yes, I will miss the Sox this weekend.

[liam]

Why isn't Patrick O'Bryant  playing?

[Who]

This is one of those games where I love seeing Leon Powe get as many minutes as possible and as many touches as possible. He'll go into that low post and rip apart the Knicks whenever they go with an undersized lineup.

[ma11l]

Eddie, Paul, and Ray are shooting the ball really well.

[Cman]

I missed the Nets game, but I'll be watching this one at least with one eye, while I pack for a weekend camping trip.  Yes, I will miss the Sox this weekend.

Any updates from those watching the game?  From the current box score, looks like our bench is losing badly to the Knicks bench....

[jay_jay54]

Knicks won 104 to 97...the game was never close after the third,but House brought them within 4 to 6 late,but with a few turnovers,mental errors,they couldn't get over the hump.

[Surferdad]

Celts never looked the same after Rondo went down with a sprained ankle in the third quarter.  More importantly, I hope Rondo is OK.

[butterbeanlove]

Just got back from the game. Lot of empty seats and the crowd wasn't engaged until Eddie's one-man rally. Maybe it's the Tommy in me coming out but I thought they called a ton of ticky-tack fouls on the C's.

A few observations: when the Knicks went up by a comfortable margin with about three minutes to go, the Knicks bench was up and chest-bumping each other like they'd just won the Eastern Conference Finals. You take victories where you can get them, I guess.

D'Antoni never sits and stands there on the sidelines with his arms crossed doing his best Pat Riley imitation, rivaled only by Byron Scott.

Late in the fourth quarter, the C's called timeout and Doc lit into someone - I think it was O'Bryant - like his ass was on fire. I've never seen Doc so hot.

The four-on-one that we botched.... ugh.

[footey]

Mike D'Antoni is a very good coach. He has the Knicks playing very unselfishly. I think they are going to win alot more games this year, and maybe sneak into a fight for the 8th playoff spot.  It is amazing what a coach can do to change the culture of a team so fast.  Yes, it was only a pre-season game, but that team did a great job of spacing and moving the ball. Who would have thought we would say that about the Knicks.

Besides House, and maybe Patrick O'Bryant, it feld like everyone else (especially the Big 3) were just sort of mailing it in. KG looked a step slow tonight, so did Pierce. Rondo was poor. I think the team is counting the days before the regular season starts. Unimpressive. I will bet Doc was p---ed.

[CelticBalla32]

You guys can check my game notes here.