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The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics square off in a marquee Eastern Conference showdown this afternoon at TD Garden. Tip-off is set for 1 PM ET, with the game airing nationally on ABC.
The Celtics (40-16) currently hold the second seed in the East, while the Knicks (37-19) sit in third place. This will be the third meeting between these teams this season, with Boston dominating the first two matchups.
After a slow start to the season, the Knicks have found their stride and established themselves as a legitimate threat in the East. A blockbuster trade before the season brought Karl-Anthony Towns to New York, and after some early chemistry struggles, the team has gelled. Jalen Brunson has been the Knicks’ most consistent force, averaging 26 points and 7.5 assists per game.
New York is coming off a grueling back-to-back following the All-Star break. They edged out the Bulls in overtime on Thursday before being blown out in Cleveland against the top-seeded Cavaliers on Friday night. Towns has been on a tear recently, posting a few dominant performances, including a 40-point, 12-rebound effort. With OG Anunoby and Josh Hart expected back in the lineup, the Knicks will be at full strength for this matchup.
The Celtics continue to assert themselves as one of the NBA’s premier teams. Their 40-16 record speaks for itself, and their balanced attack makes them difficult to beat. Boston boasts the fourth-ranked offense and the fifth-ranked defense in the league, with Jayson Tatum leading the charge. The All-Star forward averages 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
Coming off the All-Star break, the Celtics made a statement with a 124-104 road win over the 76ers. Tatum notched a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Payton Pritchard provided a huge spark off the bench with 28 points and eight three-pointers. Boston has two full days of rest leading into today’s contest, giving them a significant advantage over a Knicks team playing its third game in four days.
Boston has thoroughly outplayed New York in both meetings this season. On opening night, the Celtics cruised to a 132-109 victory at home, with Tatum leading the way with 37 points and 10 rebounds. The second matchup on February 8 saw a more dominant performance from Boston, as they dismantled the Knicks 131-104 in Madison Square Garden. Tatum dropped 40 points in that game, while Pritchard again made a big impact off the bench with 25 points.
A major factor in Boston’s success against New York has been the three-point shooting disparity. The Knicks rank dead last in the NBA in opponent three-point percentage, allowing teams to hit 37.9% from deep. The Celtics, on the other hand, lead the league in three-point attempts and are converting at a 37% clip. In their two wins over the Knicks, Boston shot a combined 48.1% from beyond the arc, making 29 threes in the first meeting and 19 in the second. If the Knicks cannot close out on shooters, they could be in for another long afternoon.
Additionally, the Celtics have a clear rest advantage. The Knicks are coming off a back-to-back against Cleveland on Friday, while Boston had a full two days off. With fresh legs and the home-court edge, the Celtics should be in a strong position to continue their dominance over New York.
Tatum has been unstoppable against the Knicks this season, scoring 37 and 40 points in their two meetings. With Boston’s rest advantage and New York’s struggles defending the perimeter, expect another big performance from the Celtics’ superstar today.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.