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Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« on: March 20, 2011, 08:16:36 PM »

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Boston Celtics (49-19) at New York Knicks (35-34)
Monday, March 21
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #69 – Road Game #34
TV:  NBA-TV, CSNNE, MSG
Radio:  WEEI
Madison Square Garden 



Probable Starters
Point Guard
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Chauncey Billups

Shooting Guard
vs 
Ray Allen  vs Landry Fields

Small Forward 
vs
 Paul Pierce  vs Carmelo Anthony

Power Forward
vs 
Kevin Garnett  vs Amar'e Stoudamire

Center

vs
Nenad Krstic  vs Jared Jeffries





Boston Bench Mob
Glen Davis
Jeff Green
Delonte West
Troy Murphy
Carlos Arroyo
Sasha Pavlovic
Avery Bradley

Injured
Jermaine O'Neal (knee) out
Shaquille O'Neal (Achilles)  out 
Von Wafer (calf)  out 


Knicks Bench
Shawne Williams
Bill Walker
Andy Rautins
Ronny Turiaf
Roger Mason Jr
Toney Douglas
Anthony Carter
Shelden Williams
Renaldo Balkman
Derrick Brown


Injuries

None 

Team Connections
Doc Rivers played for the Knicks from 1992‐95
Bill Walker was a member of the Celtics from 2008‐10
Amar’e Stoudemire and Shaquille O’Neal were teammates in Phoenix from 2008‐09
Shaquille O’Neal played for Mike D’Antoni from the end of the 2007‐08 season and all of the 2008‐09 season in Phoenix
Toney Douglas and Von Wafer both attended Florida State University
Chauncey Billups was drafted by the Celtics and played for them in the 1997‐98 season
Chauncey Billups played with Celtics Assistant Coach Roy Rogers in Boston and Toronto during the 1997‐98 season
Shelden Williams played for the Celtics during the 2009‐10 season
Toney Douglas and Von Wafer both attended Florida State University
Jared Jeffries and Celtics Assistant Coach Lawrence Frank both attended Indiana Universtiy
Shawne Williams and Troy Murphy were teammates in Indiana from 2006‐08.
Anthony Carter and Kevin Garnett were teammates in Minnesota from 2004‐2006..
Anthony Carter and Von Wafer were teammates in Denver during the 2007‐08 season.

Game Notes
This is the 3rd of 4 meetings between these division rivals this season.  The Celtics won both of the meetings so far but both games were before both teams had an upheaval at the trade deadline.   The Celtics have been struggling somewhat to regain their chemistry after the trades but the Knicks have struggled even more.   The Knicks are just 7-8 since the trade and that has elicited complaints from Anthony about not getting enough touches and shots as well as complaints about the Knicks defense being too difficult for him to learn. 

This game has playoff implications for both teams.   The Celtics are once again tied with the Bulls for the top spot in the East.  With the Bulls playing the Kings at home, the Celtics need a win in this game to keep pace.  The Knicks are in the 7th spot and half a game behind Philly for the 6th seed.   

The Celtics are 6-4 in their last 10 games and are coming off a big come back win against the Hornets.  The Knicks are 4-6 in their last 10 games and have lost 2 in a row against Detroit and Milwaukee.  The Knicks have also lost 5 of their last 6 games.  The Celtics have had a day off while the Knicks are playing in the second of back to back games.   The Knicks have had more success in back to back games than the Celtics and are 9-8 in the second game and 4-2 at home in an away-home set.

With both teams struggling in recent games, it will be a matter of which team wants this one more and can regroup and focus on playing their game to get the win.  The Celtics showed signs of doing just that in the second half of their last game while the Knicks are still struggling.  But a big game against a rival has a way of bringing out the best in players and teams. 

Key Matchups
vs
Paul Pierce vs Carmelo Anthony
Pierce has called Melo his toughest matchup in the league.  This will be Pierce's first look at Anthony as a Knick.  Anthony has career averages of 24.1 points and 6.7 rebounds in 13 games against the Celtics. Paul Pierce is averaging 28.5 points and 12 rebounds against Melo.  Since the trade the Knicks are 7-8 and Melo has complained about his lack of shots and the Knicks' confusing defensive schemes.  On the other side, Pierce has been struggling in his last couple of games.   In his last two games he is 3-19 from the field and 1-10 from beyond the arc.  He is due for a big game and a matchup against Melo may be just what he needs to have one. 

vs
Kevin Garnett vs Amar'e Stoudemire
KG has been one of the few Celtics playing well consistently over their last stretch of games.  Stoudemire is averaging 33 points on .590 shooting and nine rebounds over 39.1 minutes in two meetings with the Celtics this season.   KG has 22 points and 11.5 rebounds in two games against New York.    Amar'e is definitely going to challenge KG on both ends of the court and hopefully KG will be up to the task of keeping Amar'e from putting up big numbers on the offensive end and also getting his shot off against Stoudemire's defense. 

Honorable Mention
Rajon Rondo vs Chauncey Billups
It is still true that as Rondo goes, so go the Celtics.  Rondo showed some signs of breaking out of his slump in the last game.  Hopefully re-injuring his finger won't set him back and he will continue to break out in this game.  Billups has lost a step or two in recent years but he is still a danger to hit big shots and Rondo will need to play tough defense on him.  Rondo should get the better of this matchup if he plays even close to his potential. 

Keys to the Game
Defense -  This will be the classic battle between offense vs defense.  The Celtics must keep their defensive intensity throughout the entire game.  They especially must guard the perimeter where the Knicks are a very good 3 point shooting team.   But they also have to depend the paint where the Knicks are also very strong at driving and posting up.   

Take it to the Hoop
- The Celtics are best when they take the ball to the basket and either get the score or the foul or kick the ball out for an open shot.    Lately they have been settling for a lot of outside shots and abandoning their inside game.   Good things happen when they are aggressive and taking the ball inside. 
 
Rebound- The Celtics have to crash the boards in order to limit the Knicks second chance points and fast break opportunities.  The team that wins the rebounding battle will usually win the war because the effort they put out on the glass also affects the other areas of their game. 

Move the Ball
When the Celtics move the ball, make the extra pass and find the open man, they are tough to beat.  It's when players hold the ball and try to do too much on their own that the offense struggles. 

X-Factors
Focus and Effort
The Celtics have put out a few lackluster performances lately and they can't afford to come out with a lack of focus and effort in this game or the Knicks will take advantage of it.   On the other side of it the Knicks have lost 2 in a row and will be focused to avoid a 3 game losing streak.  The Celtics need to be sure they are just as focused on getting the win.   

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2011, 08:19:09 PM »

Offline Megatron

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If our offense struggles against the Knicks I think its official that we are coasting.

Jeff Green will be big in this game. Krstic has an advantage at the center spot also.

If we can defend decently and keep them off the three point line we should win.

Absolutely no reason to have any offensive struggle this game.

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2011, 08:24:41 PM »

Offline barefacedmonk

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TP FL.

Let's hope the starter's will "Do the Right Thing" and we see a spike in Mr. Lee's blood pressure after we give those Knickerbockers a Celtics style beat down.
"An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching." - M.K. Gandhi


Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2011, 08:48:40 PM »

Offline CelticSooner

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Knicks are reeling. This SHOULD be a easy win. I'm looking forward to the Amar'e/KG matchup.

I would not be surprised to see The Captain have a big game. He seems to thrive in MSG.

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2011, 08:52:39 PM »

Offline lovely_20

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TP to FL for a job well done as always!  I have to work, so I can't watch the game firsthand, but it's set to record.  Here's hoping for the W!!  ;D
"Basketball is like poetry in motion, cross the guy to the left, take him back to the right, he's fallin' back, then just J right in his face. Then you look at him and say, "What?""

Jesus Shuttlesworth, "He Got Game"

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2011, 09:00:39 PM »

Offline birdwatcher

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Knicks are reeling. This SHOULD be a easy win. I'm looking forward to the Amar'e/KG matchup.

I would not be surprised to see The Captain have a big game. He seems to thrive in MSG.
And the Knicks are coming off a back-to-back..

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2011, 09:12:27 PM »

Online letsgoblue86

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You know the Knicks are gonna be
Knicks are reeling. This SHOULD be a easy win. I'm looking forward to the Amar'e/KG matchup.

I would not be surprised to see The Captain have a big game. He seems to thrive in MSG.
And the Knicks are coming off a back-to-back..
You know the Knicks are gonna be up for this one anyways.

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2011, 10:05:01 PM »

Offline samantha28

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I hope Anthony gets as many touches as he wants, and Paul Pierce owns him in every possession. Then people will see how obnoxious Carmelo is. I hate the new look Knicks!

Last time the Captain had a really bad night (0-10 in Heat Game) he came back the next game and dominated. I hope he'll pull a repeat tomorrow night.

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2011, 10:05:37 PM »

Offline Tai

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Welp, the Celtics have allowed less than 90 points in 6 of the less 8 games. I'd love to see that kept up against a high-octane offense like the Knicks, and maybe actually score on their defense.

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2011, 10:12:18 PM »

Offline Megatron

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I cant wait to see how good we make the Knicks look on defense with our inconsistent effort on offense.

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2011, 10:49:24 PM »

Offline lovely_20

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I cant wait to see how good we make the Knicks look on defense with our inconsistent effort on offense.

Here we go again with the negativity...

 ::) ::)
"Basketball is like poetry in motion, cross the guy to the left, take him back to the right, he's fallin' back, then just J right in his face. Then you look at him and say, "What?""

Jesus Shuttlesworth, "He Got Game"

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2011, 11:02:54 PM »

Offline Megatron

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I cant wait to see how good we make the Knicks look on defense with our inconsistent effort on offense.

Here we go again with the negativity...

 ::) ::)

That will be the only negative thing I say for the entire game thread, but I wont be surprised if the Knicks win this game and the internet is buzzing about how much better the "Knicks defense" is. When in reality they dont play any.

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #12 on: March 21, 2011, 01:59:09 AM »

Offline jdz101

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Hopefully we can do it the easy way this time and get a good start for once :/


how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck was chris bosh?

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2011, 02:05:12 AM »

Offline ACF

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TP. Go Celtics!

Re: Celtics (49-19) at Knicks (35-34) 3/21
« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2011, 02:16:46 AM »

Offline j804

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The Knicks will be jacked up as they been playing awful.....of course they're going to look to get a huge win and back on track against us.

Defend the perimeter, move the ball, control STAT we got ths
"7ft PG. Rondo leaves and GUESS WHAT? We got a BIGGER point guard!"-Tommy on Olynyk