Final: Knicks 109, Celtics 94 - Celtics misfire from 3 all night, Tatum ejected

Game 62: Celtics (-2.5) at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m., Madison Square Garden, NBCS Boston

Injuries: 

Boston: OUT- Danilo Gallinari, Jaylen Brown (personal reasons)

PROBABLE: Derrick White (ankle) 

New York: None

Knicks probable starters: Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson

Refs: Courtney Kirkland (#61), JB DeRosa (#22), Derek Richardson (#63)

Last time they played: Knicks 120, Celtics 117 (OT), January 26 - The Celtics started hot both by attacking the rim and from beyond the arc, making it look like they were chasing another shooting record against the Knicks. But Randle had a monster first quarter to keep the Knicks close after falling behind by 15. Immanuel Quickley had a big second quarter and Boston’s shots stopped falling, but Boston held onto a slim halftime lead. The third quarter was a disaster for Boston as their shots stopped falling, and that carried into the fourth quarter until the Celtics turned it on about halfway through when down 12. They ended up forcing overtime, but the Celtics were out-scored 10-2 to close the game. Jayson Tatum had a clean look that could have won it in regulation, but missed.

A little something about this game: The Knicks have won five straight games and seven of eight. They are currently tied with the Nets, 9.5 games behind Boston, but with one more win and one more loss, they are percentage points behind Brooklyn in sixth. They have the league’s sixth-ranked offense and 14th-ranked defense. Boston has gone 9-2 since their loss to New York. A loss would drop the Celtics percentage points behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the standings.

How the Celtics win: Make that Knicks defense work. There are holes that can be attacked and some good looks, especially from the midrange, that can be exploited. Get them in rotation and attack. 

Defensively, don’t let the Knicks get hot from 3. Randle is a streaky shooter who loves to take a bunch of 3-pointers. If he gets clean looks and gets going early, this will be a tough game. 

How the Knicks win: Big contributions from the bench to negate Boston’s depth. If Josh Hart can come in and make an impact on both ends of the floor, then this game is going to be a problem for Boston. The depth will already be challenged with Derrick White likely sliding in to start for Jaylen Brown. If Boston’s bench is outscored and outplayed, the Celtics will likely lose. 

Things I’m looking for: 

Mitchell Robinson vs. Robert Williams: Which guy will be more of an X-factor for his team? Neither team can lose sight of the super-athletic, rim-rolling center. Each is a threat to put back a miss, so neither team can fall asleep on the boards. If the Celtics defense is going to keep the Knicks in check, they're going to have to make sure the Knicks are one-and-done. The Knicks give up offensive rebounds, so Boston can win this by attacking the glass as they have been doing. 

- Bench contributions: Who will step up aside from Malcolm Brogdon off the bench? Will Mike Muscala get a shot after a couple of DNPs? Will we see more Sam Hauser? Luke Kornet revenge game? 

- Jayson Tatum wire-to-wire: Without Brown, Tatum will have to be a facilitator to start and then maybe he can take advantage of lapses after his teammates help him by making shots. Whatever he does, I’d like to see Tatum get going from the start and not have to shake off a tough start again.

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.