Final: Celtics 133, Knicks 118 - C's break team 3-point record

Game 9: Celtics (-4.5) at. Knicks, 7:30 p.m., Madison Square Garden, NBCS Boston/NBA TV

Injuries: Boston - Danilo Gallinari, Robert Williams, Al Horford (low back stiffness)  New York: Mitchell Robinson (doubtful, knee), Quentin Grimes (questionable, foot)

New York probable starters: Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier, Julius Randle, Isaiah Hartenstein

Refs: Zach Zarba (#15), Kevin Cutler (#34), Phenizee Ransom (#70)

A little something about the game: The Knicks are now 4-4 after beating the Sixers last night, so both teams are on a back-to-back. The last time the Celtics were in New York, Barrett hit a game-winner on them, which the Celtics called their rock-bottom moment. Every moment Fournier plays against the Celtics seems to be a rock-bottom moment in Boston as well, because he, for some reason, just loves to hit a ton of 3-pointers when he sees those jerseys. Jalen Brunson has made a big impact for the Knicks this season, and considering Boston’s troubles with dribble penetration, he could have a big game. 

How Boston wins: Perimeter defense is a focus in every game, but especially one without Horford against a team that can attack the basket. The Celtics will have to really stay connected on defense, and if they do, they can keep New York off balance. They do not have a great offense, and it can end up devolving into iso-ball against Boston’s switching. This could be a good matchup to start Grant Williams against Randle with Luke Kornett matching up against Hartenstein. They could dust off Noah Vonleh to check Obi Toppin off the bench. 

How New York wins: They have the league’s 6th-best offensive rebound percentage, helped partly by the fact that they're the 5th-worst shooting team in the league … so there are a lot of rebounds to be had. If the Celtics can keep them off the glass, it will limit the Knicks to one shot, which they will miss more than most teams. If the Knicks can crash and take advantage of a smaller Celtics club, they’ll be in position to win. 

Things I’m looking for:

-  Tatum staying on the attack: He took 20 free throws, a ridiculous number, and hit the deck more often than usual. Here’s hoping he doesn’t just rely on jumpers tonight because he’s sore from all the contact he took. 

- How’s Smart? Speaking of taking contact, Smart has been getting his butt kicked since the preseason. He took a scary fall against the Bulls, getting up very slowly and holding his left arm, but he was not listed on the injury report. He’s also dealing with a hip/oblique issue stemming from his slip during a preseason game in Montreal. The Celtics will need Smart to be at his best against Brunson, because anything less will lead to a 30 point night for the newest Knick.

- Using the bigs: Noah Vonleh has fallen out of favor with Mazzulla, but tonight might be a night where there's no choice but to put him out there. Or does the coach go with Blake Griffin? Or does he go with neither and just roll with a small lineup when Hartenstein is off the floor and Mitchel out of the lineup?

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