2011 NBA Playoffs Predictions: Five Reasons the Knicks Will Beat the Celtics

The first round of the NBA playoffs can be dull, but not this year. There are a lot of intriguing matchups, and the Knicks vs. Celtics series is probably the most mouth watering.

The Celtics have been the class of the East since remaking their team in the summer of 2007. The Knicks lost the 2010 LeBron lottery, but they settled for another star in Amar'e Stoudemire. Then with a blockbuster midseason trade for Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks are suddenly in the conversation for a playoff run.

The teams are practically opposites. The Celtics are seasoned. The Knicks are young(ish). The Celtics feast on their defense. The Knicks consider defense optional. The Celtics breath teamwork. The Knicks came together after one player bullied his way out of Denver.

Two worlds will clash, and I have five reasons why the Knicks can pull off a first round upset over the favored Celtics.

5. Amar'e Stoudemire Is Having a Great Non-Nash Season

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DALLAS, TX - MARCH 10: Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks takes a shot against Tyson Chandler #6 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 10, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

A lot of people doubted Stoudemire's move to New York. Many people thought he would fail without Steve Nash. Obviously, Stoudemire is a great talent, but he was being fed the ball on the block night after night. Now, he would have to survive without one of the greatest passers of all time.

He succeeded.

For the first half of the season, Raymond Felton filled the Nash role very well. He gave Stoudemire the ball where he liked it, and the Knicks were competitive again. Then, management dished Felton to Denver.

Still, Stoudemire didn't tail off too much. His numbers remained similar, and he didn't take a step back until an ankle injury started to hamper him. He didn't look 100 percent against the Celtics, but he will have almost four days to rest it.

When he is back to 100 percent, he will give the Celtics fits for the entire series.

4. The Celtics Will Not Be Able to Outscore the Knicks

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Carlos Boozer #5 of the Chicago Bulls puts up a shot between Jeff Green #8 and Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics at United Center on April 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 97-81. NOTE TO USER: User e

The Celtics' have been struggling. They finished the season with a mediocre 6-7 record in their last 13 games. That kind of record will not hold up in the playoffs.

Their defense, however, has remained steady. Unfortunately, their offense hasn't been as steady.

They only eclipsed 95 points six times in the previously mentioned stretch. While defense wins championships, offense is necessary for teams to win games.

The Knicks have two of the best scorers in the league. They will each get 20 points on a given night. The Celtics need to outscore them. Unfortunately, they have not shown anything of late that leads me to believe they will do so.

3. Rajon Rondo Is Struggling

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MIAMI, FL - APRIL 10: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 10, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or us

Every offense needs a conductor. Rajon Rondo has conducted the Celtics to two Finals in three years, and many people consider him one of the best point guards in the league. Nevertheless, he has struggled in the last few weeks.

Teams have decided to play off him, forcing him to shoot. As great of a passer as he is, Rondo is unable to consistently knock down a shout outside 12 feet.

His shooting percentage has dropped each month since December. He is shooting a putrid 43 percent since the All-Star break.

This is the best point guard in the game? Doubtful.

Late in games, he is scared to take his career 62 percent free throw shooting to the line. A point guard scared to shoot free throws? That isn't a good thing.

Maybe he will take over the playoffs like he did last year. It is a possibility, but I do not have my hopes up.

2. Carmelo Anthony Wants to Prove His Move Was Right for the Knicks

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 30: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the New Jersey Nets at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

Carmelo Anthony bullied his way out of Denver. That isn't a secret. Denver has played well since then, and many people are starting to think that they got the better of the deal.

Carmelo Anthony can't be happy with that.

He is one of the best players in the league today, but he is often overlooked with other stars around him. Now, he is being overshadowed after the trade he wanted. Tough luck.

He will be determined to show he belongs in New York. New York tried to fix something that wasn't broken. If Anthony broke that, he will be blamed for New York's loss. He knows that.

Consequently, he will shine in the playoffs. The biggest players play on the biggest stages. Anthony will be on one of the biggest stages in sports (Madison Square Garden), and he will produce. Accordingly, the Knicks will be in a great position to upset the Celtics.

1. The Celtics Are Not the Same Team They Have Been in the Past

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 25: Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics blocks a shot as J.J. Hickson #21 of the of the Cleveland Cavaliers stands by on January 25, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

For two years, the Celtics have maintained the "no one beat us at full strength" mentality. Injuries have derailed two championship teams. Whether or not that's true, they believed it, and it inspired them.

Now, Kendrick Perkins is gone.

They loved him. He loved them. When he left, veterans were crying in the locker room, and it was acceptable. He was a part of their family, and he was kicked out.

Sure, it was the right move for financial reasons. Jeff Green is a fine player, and he will help the Celtics. Still, Perkins was family.

Perkins provided them with a toughness and sense of invulnerability. Now, without him, the Cs look lost. They want him to be a part of the run, but he's gone.

They made a great run last year, but the run ended when Perkins went down. As a Celtic, Perkins is done. Similarly, the team will soon be done.