Knicks at Celtics
The Boston Celtics are struggling with six losses in their past nine games and they look to change their fortunes when they host the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Boston is just one game over .500 due to its recent funk while New York is already 10 games below after losing its last six contests.
The Celtics were slated for an off-day Tuesday but coach Brad Stevens changed the schedule so the team could work on some shortcomings. "We've still got so many more games left to figure it out," backup point guard Terry Rozier told reporters. "I feel like we're still connecting and getting better at playing with each other." The Knicks are in disarray with six straight setbacks after suffering a 118-114 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. "I really love the way we competed," New York coach David Fizdale told reporters after the latest loss. "You're talking about the top team in the West. That team has gone through a lot of wars."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), NBCS Boston
ABOUT THE KNICKS (4-14): Shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 32 points against Portland and has tallied 30 or more in each of the past three games. Hardaway is 12-for-28 from 3-point range and 26-of-29 from the free-throw line during the stretch as he continues to be New York's biggest bright spot. Backup point guard Trey Burke - a former college teammate of Hardaway's at Michigan - scored 19 points off the bench and is averaging 24.7 points over the past three games.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (9-8): Struggling small forward Gordon Hayward came off the bench for the first time in Monday's 117-112 loss to the Charlotte Hornets but his woes continued as he had just four points on 1-of-6 shooting over 31 minutes. "I'm OK with whatever I can do to help us win," Hayward told reporters of the change. "Right now, I just have to focus on myself and getting myself better and being a better basketball player." Hayward is averaging just 9.8 points and shooting just 38.9 percent from the field while being unable to find his form, stemming from the badly broken ankle he suffered 13 months ago.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Celtics went 3-1 against the Knicks last season, including home wins of 30 and 21 points.
2. New York PG Emmanuel Mudiay is averaging 15.7 points on 19-of-29 shooting over the past three games.
3. Boston C Al Horford (knee) is listed as probable.