AT
New York Knicks (11-15) at Boston Celtics (25-2)
Sunday, December 21
6:00 PM ET
TV: CSNHD, MSG, NBA LP 752
Radio: WEEI
TD Banknorth Garden Probable Starting Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Nate Robinson
vs
Ray Allen vs Chris Duhon
vs
Paul Pierce vs Quentin Richardson
vs
Kevin Garnett vs Wilson Chandler
vs
Kendrick Perkins vs David Lee
Reserves Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
Patrick O'Bryant
InjuriesNone
Reserves Malik Rose
Al Harrington
Tim Thomas
Danilo Gallinari
Jerome James
Anthony Roberson
Eddie Curry
Jared Jeffries
Stephon Marbury
Injuries Danilo Gallinari (back) out
Jared Jeffries (fibula) questionable
Eddie Curry (knee) out
Stephon Marbury (pride) out
Matchups to Watch vs
Paul Pierce PPG 18.5, RPG 6.0, APG 3.7, FG% .411
Quentin Richardson PPG 11.7, RPG 5.6, APG 1.6, FG% .386
Every time these two face each other, there is always a war of words. In one game last season, QRich called Pierce out to fight him as he was being ejected from the game. This is a matchup to watch as there is bad blood between these two players and Richardson has made some fairly controversial statements concerning the Celtics. Look for Pierce try to make him eat his words.
vs
Rajon Rondo PPG 10.8, RPG 5.0, APG 7.6, FG% .519
Nate Robinson PPG 16.2, RPG 4.3, APG 4.2, FG% .469
Nate Robinson has been playing very well and this will be another challenge for Rondo to contain him on the defensive end while continuing to be aggressive on the offensive end.
Honorable Mention Kendrick Perkins PPG 9.0, RPG 8.4, APG 1.2, FG% .588
David Lee PPG 14.3, RPG 10.7, APG 1.8, FG% .563
David Lee plays hard and has a quickness advantage but Perk will have the strength and size advantage.
Game NotesThe Celtics lead the series 1-0. The Celtics won the first game 110-101 without Kevin Garnett who was serving a bogus suspension. The Knicks were a very different team with Zach Randolph at center and now they have Al Harrington and Tim Thomas coming off the bench. Nate Robinson will be starting instead of coming off the bench and Chris Duhon will be playing the 2 guard instead of the point.
This team can be dangerous. They came within 2 points of beating the Lakers and so the Celtics would be wise not to take them for granted. There is always a lot of trash talk between these two teams and their last game included 4 technical fouls. The Celtics need to keep their composure and not get caught up in the talking but let their games speak for them.
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.
Keys to the GameStart strong and don't let up
Guard the perimeter and protect the paint
Crash the boards and limit second chance points
Don't get sidetracked with trash talk