Celtics vs. Knicks: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
With a mere six games remaining in the regular season for the New York Knicks, catching the Boston Celtics for the Atlantic Division lead is all but out the question, but as the two teams prepare to meet Tuesday night, it's an important game nonetheless.
Neither the Knicks nor the Celtics want to enter the postseason on a losing streak, so a win here is of importance for both teams.
For New York, there's extra motivation, as Sunday's loss to the Miami Heat means the Knicks lead over the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference is down to a mere 1.5 games.Even with Carmelo Anthony playing at an elite level, averaging 31.7 PPG during the month of April, every game turns into a must-win as they try to hold off the surging Bucks.
The Celtics, on the other hand, appear to be locked into the No. 4 seed in the East as the season winds down.
They've won seven of their last 10 games and have taken two of the three previous meetings against New York on the season.
The two teams promise to turn in a classic, as their three meetings have been decided by a combined eight points, with each team winning by two points once and the Celtics winning their last meeting by four in overtime.
It doesn't get any better in the Atlantic Division than Celtics vs. Knicks. Here's a look at everything you need to know about Tuesday's Eastern Conference showdown.
When: Tuesday, April 17 at 8:00 p.m. EDT
Where: Madison Square Garden in New York, New York
Watch: TNT
Live Stream: None
Betting Line: pick
Celtics Key Injuries
Day-to-Day: Ray Allen (ankle)
Knicks Key Injuries
Out: Jeremy Lin (knee)
Day-to-Day: Amar'e Stoudemire (back)
What They're Saying
Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley has become quite the force in the Celtics recent surge, scoring double-figures in five of the Celtics' last six games, including a 22-point effort in Sunday's win against the Charlotte Bobcats.
Bradley's also done his best at silencing the scouts who said he couldn't hit the NBA three-point shot, as ESPN's Chris Forsberg examines.
"Since Ray Allen was first sidelined by right ankle soreness in late March, Bradley has connected on 13 of 25 trifectas over the last 15 games (this after making just one of 12 to start the season).
What's more, Bradley is 9-of-13 on triples over the past eight games since being reinserted into the starting lineup on April 5 (when Allen agreed to the bench role).
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Most Important Player to Watch: Carmelo Anthony
The Knicks have been tough to beat at home as of late, winning nine in a row before Sunday's loss to the Heat.
A big part of that has been the play of Anthony, who has not only been outstanding since interim head coach Mike Woodson took over, but especially efficient since both Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin have been out of the lineup.
Anthony's averaged 30.0 points per game throughout the Knicks last 11 games, a span in which they've won seven of 11.
Key Matchup: Rajon Rondo vs. Iman Shumpert
This will be fun to watch, as Rondo has played as well as any point guard in the NBA, averaging 11.4 PPG and 14.2 APG during the month of April. Rondo has put together an impressive streak in which he's hit double-digits in 22 consecutive games.
The rookie Shumpert has become the Knicks' defensive stopper and has drawn some major assignments from Woodson, including the reigning MVP Derrick Rose.
He will have to slow down Rondo for the Knicks to come away with the win.
Prediction
Knicks 95, Celtics 92
