Celtics/Knicks Preview
at 
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
Referees: Dan Crawford, Tony Brown, Pat Fraher
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 and is expected to play with no limitations. That is good news. Amare Stoudamire is also close to a return. He has participated in a couple of shoot arounds but is listed as doubtful for this game. He is expected back either Wednesday against the Nets or Friday vs Cleveland. Tyson Chandler limped through the 4th quarter against the Heat on Sunday but is expected to play in this one. .
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. A win by the Celtics and a loss by Philly to Indiana (who have been playing very well) would clinch the Atlantic Division for the Celtics.
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. Of course, it's about payback for the Knicks as well since the Celtics have won the last 2 games between them. They are still smarting about their exit from the playoffs last season as well. 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.
Probable Starters
PG: #9 Rajon Rondo .................................................... SG: #0 Avery Bradley
C: #5 Kevin Garnett
SF: #34 Paul Pierce .............................................. PF #30 Brandon Bass
Celtics Reserves
Ray Allen
Marquis Daniels
Mickael Pietrus
Keyon Dooling
E'twaun Moore
Greg Stiemsma
JaJuan Johnson
Ryan Hollins
Sasha Pavlovic
Injuries
Jermaine O'Neal (wrist) out
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
Steve Novak
Mike Bibby
JR Smith
Jerome Jordan
Josh Harrellson
Toney Douglas
Injuries
Jeremy Lin (knee) out
Amare Stoudamire (back) doubtful
Tyson Chandler (knee) probable
Bill Walker (elbow) out
