Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info & More

The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks start the 2011-12 NBA season with a new chapter in their historic rivalry on Christmas Day.

The Knicks will be hoping to knock the Celtics off their perch atop the Atlantic division, which Boston has won the past four seasons.

New York added center Tyson Chandler in free agency this offseason to bolster their front court, which already includes superstars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.

The Celtics and Knicks both have a lot to prove this season. Boston must show they are still NBA Finals contenders despite having an aging roster, and New York must prove they can gel as a unit and win a playoff series this season.

Each of these teams make their long-awaited season debut on Christmas, and it will be a thrilling way to open the new basketball year.

Let's look at everything you need to know about this game!

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

When: Sunday, Dec. 25 at 12:00 p.m. EST

Watch: TNT

Live Stream: NBA League Pass

Listen: 850 AM WEEI for Celtics, 1050 AM ESPN Radio for Knicks

Betting Line: Knicks -3.5 (according to Betonline.com)

Key Injuries

Celtics forward Paul Pierce is questionable for Sunday's game with a bone bruise in his heal.

Knicks center Jared Jeffries is questionable for Sunday's game with a calf injury.

What's at Stake?

For the Celtics, they have to show the league they are still an elite team, and defeating the Knicks at MSG on Christmas in front of a national television audience will help them do that.

The Knicks need to develop a team chemistry that will be good enough to win in the playoffs. That task stars on Christmas and it will be a challenge for them to start out.

If New York wants people to believe they are for real, they should beat the aging Celtics on Sunday.

What They're Saying

Baron Davis' signing with the Knicks was an interesting one, but he thinks the team will do well this season, especially since they have two great scorers in Anthony and Stoudemire.

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“You got a guy over here who can get 40 and another guy over here who can get 40, it’s like ‘pick your poison,’ ” said Davis, 32, whose back and act went bad in Cleveland. “People don’t consider me a passer because I’ve had to do a lot of scoring, but I have always prided myself on being an unselfish player.

“The way you saw Carmelo and Amare jell late in the season, they are going to get their shots.”

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The Celtics recently spoke about captain Paul Pierce's heel injury.

Via the Boston Globe:

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“We won’t ask him to do anything until [tomorrow] and see what he can do,’’ coach Doc Rivers said of the Celtics' captain, who has a right heel bruise. “If he can play we may not even start him. But we don’t know any of that until [tomorrow].’’

Pierce’s condition is being evaluated by trainer Ed Lacerte.

“If Eddie says he can play, he’ll play,’’ Rivers said. “Paul knows what we do for the most part, and if Eddie gives him clearance it’s because he thinks he can play.’’

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Player to watch for Celtics: Rajon Rondo

The Celtics attempted to trade star point guard Rajon Rondo during the offseason, but were unsuccessful in deals that included Chris Paul coming from the New Orleans to Boston.

It will be interesting to see how that will affect Rondo, but he remains a massively important part of the Celtics team and is there MVP.

Rondo has to have a great season or the Celtics won't make a deep postseason run. Against the Knicks, who have nobody capable of playing point guard well, Rondo will certainly be a player to watch on Sunday.

Player to watch for Knicks: Tyson Chandler

The Knicks' biggest free agent signing was center Tyson Chandler, who comes to the Big Apple fresh of his NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks last season.

Chandler will make the Knicks better defensively and much more tough in the paint. It will be interesting to watch how he fits in with Amare Stoudemire on the Knicks front line this season.

Key Matchup: Rondo vs. Knicks point guards

Rondo is the Celtics' best player and against Knicks point guards Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas he will dominate this game.

Douglas should get the majority of the playing time because Bibby's one-on-one defense is atrocious.

New York has to find ways to slow Rondo because he is the engine that keeps the Boston offense moving.

If the Knicks lose this matchup against Rondo they will lose the game too.

Prediction: Celtics win 95-88

Boston is ready for this season to begin and with a shortened season their veterans will be well-rested for the Christmas Day opener versus the Knicks.

Rondo will be determined to prove the Celtics were dumb to try to trade him, and the veterans will focus on making another title run.

The Celtics thrive on people disrespecting them, and with the Knicks finally good again they will want to prove to people that they are still the best team in the Atlantic division.

Expect Boston to give an inspired effort in a season-opening win on Sunday.