(Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Final: Celtics 133, Knicks 123 - Derrick White helps C's hold on
BOSTON CELTICS vs. NEW YORK KNICKS
7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Boston/NBA TV
Line: Boston -7.5
INJURIES
Boston: None
New York: None
LAST TIME
The Celtics were up one after a back-and-forth quarter that saw six Celtics score while Jalen Brunson’s 11 carried New York. The Celtics hit a dry spell to start the second but they went on 13-4 run to close the half and cut an eight-point deficit to one. The defense stepped up in the third, but the Knicks still broke free for too many 3-pointers. Still, Boston was able to close strong again, this time with a 12-4 run to go up eight. It hovered around there until Jayson Tatum scored eight straight to build a 16-point lead, and that was that.
NOTES
- This game is in addition to the four already scheduled games between these two teams. So Boston and New York will finish this season having played each other five times, a quirk of the In-Season Tournament schedule.
- The Celtics are 9-0 at TD Garden this season. This is the third time over the last 30 seasons (since 1993-94) that Boston has started 9-0 or better at home. They started 12-0 in 2007-08, and 10-0 in 2019-20.
THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR
1. Kristaps Porzingis rust: I don’t think it will be an issue, but a week off can lead to a little bit of rust getting back up to game speed. It might take Porzingis a little bit to round into form. Luckily, there is no minutes restriction on him so he is free to play his normal game.
2. Rested and Ready? Three days off is a nice luxury to get at any point of the NBA season. There's no reason not to come out with high energy and focus. It almost doesn’t matter who the opponent is, this is like a thoroughbred just going for a run because that's what it does. Boston should want to come out and dominate just because they need to get the reps.
3. Jaylen Brown’s passing: ESPN posted a graphic highlighting Brown hasn’t had an assist in his past two games. He responded to it saying “y’all corny watch the games.” I have a feeling he might give ESPN something to watch tonight.
Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.