One of the oldest rivalries in the NBA is renewed this Monday evening as the New York Knicks face the Boston Celtics. If the regular season is anything to go by, the Celtics should handle their business without too much of a problem. Boston swept the regular-season matchup between the sides. Having won the first three matchups by a staggering 63 points combined.
Nevertheless, the Knicks feel good about themselves after Jalen Brunson’s heroics in knocking out the Pistons.
Let’s break down the series between these two historic franchises in a series deep dive.
How To Watch Knicks vs. Celtics
- When/Where: Monday, May 5th / Boston, MA. TD Garden. 7 pm ET.
- TV: TNT
Latest Knicks vs. Celtics Injury Report
Jrue Holiday was not listed on the Celtics’ injury report. He’s considered day-to-day with a hamstring injury that saw him miss some of the Magic series, but he looks set to be ready for tonight’s game.
The Knicks have a clean bill of health on their injury report.
The Series X Factor Matchup
Kristaps Porziņģis vs. Karl-Anthony Towns
Kristaps Porziņģis is a key part of the Celtics’ offense with his threat behind the arc. Shooting at an impressive 41% clip from the perimeter. He’s torched the Knicks thus far, taking advantage of the Knicks’ struggles in closing out the three-point line. Torching them for 34 points on 61.5% three-point shooting in their most recent matchup.
Towns is coming off an All-NBA caliber season, shooting at a higher clip of 42% from behind the arc, and 24 points per game. Plus, 13 rebounds, and 52.6% from the field. Towns has an array of moves inside and outside the painted area, but his bread and butter is from the perimeter. If he can dominate this matchup, the Knicks’ chances increase massively.
Due to their defensive versatility and switching, Boston has cut Towns’ three-point attempts in half whenever they match up.
Plus, the Celtics target his frailties on the defensive end, the Knicks under Tom Thibodeau like to play drop coverage, and Towns is inconsistent at best defending the painted area. However, Towns showed glimpses of great defense in their series-opening game against the Pistons, forcing four steals and two blocks.
It would be wise for the Knicks to use Mitchell Robinson at the five and go “double-big” with Towns at the four to help them on the defensive end.
Jrue Holiday vs Jalen Brunson
The Celtics outscored the Magic by 19 points per 100 possessions when Holliday was on the floor; his absence was keenly felt when he went down with a hamstring injury. Holiday’s plus-minus on the floor vs the Knicks this season is +41.
Holiday is an elite defender, incredibly versatile, and a winning player as a two-time NBA champion. He calls out their defensive coverages and will also attack the size mismatch with Brunson.
Brunson, the newly crowned Clutch Player of the Year in the NBA, had yet another clutch moment to beat the Pistons in game six.
In one of the most sensational game winners of the NBA season, Brunson had a magic moment. With the clock running out in a tie game, matched against defensive stalwart Ausar Thompson near midcourt, Brunson sold him a vicious cross-over that sent Thompson sprawling far in the opposite direction. Then, with ice in his veins, Brunson knocked down the series-winning three.
However, the Knicks will need plenty more magic moments from their magic man to defeat this powerhouse Celtics team.
Knicks vs Celtics Game 1 Predictions
In many ways, the Celtics are the blueprint to how the Knicks would ideally like to play. Boston excels at spacing, defensive versatility, and perimeter-centric style. A similar style to the Knicks, especially with two-way threat OG Anunoby.
The key difference is that Boston is far deeper and superior defensively. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both elite two-way players and scorers.
They have a huge mismatch over the Knicks off the bench; Payton Pritchard, Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser will all play significant roles.
Meanwhile, the Knicks’ bench is decidedly threadbare and lacks difference makers. Miles McBride had an extremely disappointing series against Detroit. Meanwhile, Landry Shamet and Cameron Payne are very inconsistent. Robinson will have a significant role to play off the bench, as he helps make up for the vast defensive mismatches.
As stated, the matchup is slanted heavily in the Celtics’ favor, and their superiority will likely shine through throughout the series.
Nevertheless, the Knicks will feel good about themselves after their dramatic win, and that positivity may cause a shock in the opening game on the road. Although the Celtics will probably win the series, look for a potential shock in game one.
