Knicks at Celtics
THE STORY: Two teams traveling in opposite directions meet Wednesday in a playoff preview when the New York Knicks visit the Boston Celtics in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Knicks have been on fire down the stretch after a curious slide against some of the league's dregs, while the Celtics have struggled since the trade of Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG, CSNE
ABOUT THE CELTICS (55-26): After getting pounded in the two most lopsided defeats of the season to Chicago and Miami last week, the Celtics decided to rest Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo against Washington on Monday – a 95-94 overtime loss that locked them into the third seed and a first-round playoff meeting with New York. A much-needed Jermaine O'Neal played 37 minutes with 15 points, 13 rebounds and five blocked shots. It was his longest stint since March 4, 2010 against the Lakers. Boston is just 14-12 since dealing Perkins but has lost 11 of its last 20. However, before the Celtics are written off as title contenders it should be noted that they ended the regular season last year losing seven of 10.
ABOUT THE KNICKS: (42-39): The honeymoon period for Carmelo Anthony was short-lived when pundits started questioning the trade with the Nuggets and the fortitude of the player after New York dropped nine of 10, including games against bottom-feeders Indiana (twice), Detroit, Milwaukee (twice) and Charlotte. But Anthony and his new teammates found their stride at just the right time and now feel they’re capable of knocking off the Celtics in the playoff opener. New York had its seven-game winning streak snapped Tuesday with a 103-90 loss at home to the Chicago Bulls. New York didn't play anybody more than 32 minutes while Chicago played full out in an attempt to win homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. One area of concern for New York is power forward Amar’e Stoudemire, who has missed the last three games with an ankle injury but says he’ll be ready for the postseason.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Although Boston relies on defense, the Boston offense has been on hiatus for an extended period. The Celtics have scored 100 points just four times in the last 19 games and their once 50-percent field goal percentage has dropped to 48.6. Despite averaging 36 minutes in six April games, Allen has taken double-digit shots just twice and has attempted only 52 shots, a clear indication the offense is not clicking. Anthony has spearheaded the offense as high scorer in five of the eight games during the streak, including the game-winner against Indiana over the weekend. Anthony averaged 30.9 points during the seven-game winning streak.
KEY STATISTIC: Anthony made 16 go-ahead field goals in the last 10 seconds of a game, which is the most by any NBA player since the 2003-04 season. Anthony leads Kobe Bryant (15), Allen (11) and Dirk Nowitzki (10), atop this list. He is also 19-for-39 on shots that tie or put his team ahead in the final 10 seconds of regulation or overtime. That is the highest percentage of any active player in those game time circumstances since 2003-04.
SEASON SERIES: The Knicks may be confident heading into the playoffs but Boston has won all three games this season, included is a 96-86 win at Madison Square Garden when Boston used a 23-4 fourth-quarter run to overcome a 15-point deficit. Garnett had 24 points and Anthony, who was not with the club in the first two games, banked 22 points.
KEY INJURIES: NEW YORK: F Amar’e Stoudemire (left ankle); G Andy Rautins (knee). BOSTON: C Shaquille O’Neal (right calf); G Delonte West (right ankle).
LAST WORD: "There's only so many hoo-rah speeches you can give. It has to come from everybody, each individual. Everybody has to look at themselves and see what they can do to help this ball club win." – Pierce on the Celtics losing skid.