Knicks at Celtics
THE STORY: The Boston Celtics swept all four regular-season games with the New York Knicks this season. Now it’s important for the Celtics to win four more as they open the best-of-seven first-round series against the Knicks in Boston on Sunday. The Celtics are the third seeds in the Eastern Conference but didn’t play all that well over the final quarter of the season, compiling just a 10-11 record since March 6. The Knicks finished sixth in the East and are in the playoffs for the first time since 2004. New York is a dangerous first-round opponent for Boston due to the high-powered duo of Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, along with playoff-tested veteran Chauncey Billups.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE CELTICS: Boston announced Saturday that center Shaquille O’Neal (calf) will miss
the opener and his status for the rest of the series isn't yet known.
O’Neal has played in just one game since Feb. 1 due to injuries.
Center Jermaine O’Neal (ankle) and guard Delonte West (ankle) will be available. Forward Paul Pierce averaged 26 points in three games against New York – his highest average against any team this season. Pierce led the Celtics with an 18.9 scoring average and will be motivated to win his star-studded matchup against Anthony. Point guard Rajon Rondo was second in the league in assists (11.2) and his matchup against Billups might be the most pivotal one of many intriguing battles.
ABOUT THE KNICKS: Stoudemire returned from an ankle injury to score 14 points in 20 minutes against Boston in the regular-season finale on Wednesday. Stoudemire reported no problems in his first action since April 6. Stoudemire averaged 25.3 points during the regular season and New York needs him to be healthy and productive as he goes up against savvy and physical veteran Kevin Garnett. Anthony was one of the hottest players in the league down the stretch and ended up third in the league in scoring at 25.6 per game.
WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Anthony has 13 consecutive 20-point games and is averaging 28.2 points during that stretch. Pierce averaged 21 points and 7.3 rebounds in six April games.
KEY STATISTIC: Boston allows a league-low 91.1 points while New York ranks second in scoring at 106.5. The Knicks were third-worst in scoring defense at 105.7 per game. Boston averages 96.5 points.
SEASON SERIES: Boston won at New York 96-86 on March 21 in the only game in which Anthony suited up for the Knicks against them since the trade. Anthony sat out host Boston’s 112-102 win on April 13. The Celtics also notched a 105-101 home victory on Oct. 29 and a 118-116 road win on Dec. 15.
LAST WORD: “He’s the engine of that team, even though they’ve got Hall of Famers on that team, he’s the guy that makes them go. It’s going to be a good matchup.” – Knicks guard Chauncey Billups on his matchup with Boston’s Rajon Rondo.