Celtics at Knicks
THE STORY: The Boston Celtics can clinch their fifth straight
Atlantic Division title with a win over the host New York Knicks and
some help from the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. The Knicks are fighting
for a playoff berth and sit in a tie for seventh in the Eastern
Conference with Philadelphia. Boston has taken two of three from New
York in the season series. The first two matchups were decided by two
points and the last contest went to overtime.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE CELTICS (36-25): The Celtics’ magic number has been
reduced to two, thanks to the 76ers loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday.
A victory by the Celtics combined with a loss by the 76ers at home to
Indiana would clinch the division for Boston. Guard Rajon Rondo has
posted 22 consecutive double-digit assist games. Rondo scored 20 points
and dished out 16 assists in a 94-82 victory at Charlotte on Sunday,
despite the absences of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (31-29): The Knicks have won nine of their last 10
games at Madison Square Garden. New York’s nine-game home winning streak
was snapped Sunday by the Miami Heat. The streak was the club’s longest
at home since winning 10 in a row during the 1997-98 campaign. Carmelo
Anthony dropped 42 points in the 93-85 loss to the Heat and is averaging
31.7 points in seven games this month. The Knicks begin their 20th of
21 back-to-backs Tuesday. New York is 9-10 in the front end.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1.
Forward Tyson Chandler leads the NBA with a .674 field goal percentage.
The last Knick to lead the league in that category was Kenny Sears
(.490) during the 1959-1960 season.
2. New York is 13-5 since interim coach Mike Woodson took over for Mike D'Antoni.
3. Anthony has averaged 32 points and six rebounds against Boston this season.