Final: Celtics 118, Knicks 105 - Tatum and Brown combine for 49 in blowout

BOSTON CELTICS (40-16) vs. NEW YORK (37-19)

TD Garden, 1 p.m. - ABC

Line: Celtics -8.5

INJURIES

Boston: Xavier Tillman (OUT, knee), Neemias Queta (OUT, illness)

New York: Mitchell Robinson (OUT, ankle), OG Anunoby (QUESTIONABLE AVAILABLE, foot), Josh Hart (QUESTIONABLE AVAILABLE, knee)

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Attack Karl-Anthony Towns: There will undoubtedly be a heavy dose of Jayson Tatum attacking Towns in pick-and-rolls. This will always be the game plan against New York, and they should keep spamming it until the Knicks figure out a way to stop it. 

That last part is important. Everyone knows the Celtics are going to attack KAT. The Knicks have two choices: Let it happen and lose, or tip your hand on show the Celtics your answer for it now. Either way, it’s a lose-lose situation for the Knicks. Either they get crushed by the action or they show the Celtics, and the rest of the league, how they’ll play it in the playoffs. 

2. Corner 3-pointers: Attacking KAT will result in a lot of corner 3-point opportunities. Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and others who normally live in the corners will have to knock these shots down to really make the Knicks pay if they overreact to drives. 

3. Protect the ball: The Knicks will be physical and dig at the ball when Boston drives. Jaylen Brown has struggled with that at times, so we need to see quick decisions, decisive passes, and then cuts. The Knicks will be ball-hawking and helping, so there will be lanes to get backdoor opportunities. 

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.