<p align="center"><font size="4" color="#339900">(3-1)</font> <font size="5">@</font> <font size="4" color="#0000ff">(2-2)</font> Monday, October 22, 2007 - 7:30 pm ET Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) Game aired on Comcast Sports Net</p> <p align="left"></p> <p align="left">After two disappointing games in a row (with the floor condensation on Friday and <st1:state><st1lace>Connecticut</st1lace></st1:state> fans not being able to see Garnett/Pierce on Saturday), the Celtics continue their preseason play tonight at <st1lace><st1lacename>Madison</st1lacename> <st1lacename>Square</st1lacename> <st1lacetype>Garden</st1lacetype></st1lace> to take on the Knicks. The last time these two teams faced off, last Wednesday, the Celtics pummeled them at the TD BankNorth Garden with a 40-point blowout. Knicks head coach Isiah Thomas mentioned after the game that he felt his players were somewhat intimidated by <st1:city><st1lace>Boston</st1lace></st1:city>’s trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. You want my thoughts on that? <em style="">Good[/i].</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The starting lineups for this one is up in the air. As mentioned above, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce did not play on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun Arena against <st1:city><st1lace>Philadelphia</st1lace></st1:city> while they were getting a much deserved rest. Doc Rivers would like to give Ray Allen a day or two of rest, but Allen stated that he would prefer to play so he could get into a rhythm. With that in mind, it’s tough to predict the starting lineups, especially considering the fact that Knicks guard Stephon Marbury did not play in <st1:state><st1lace>New York</st1lace></st1:state>’s last game. If the <st1:city><st1lace>Boston</st1lace></st1:city> trio plays tonight, I wouldn’t expect them to play tomorrow night in <st1:state><st1lace>New Jersey</st1lace></st1:state>, and visa-versa. I would assume that we’ll see everybody out on the floor tonight, but I’d expect the starters to play limited minutes (probably no more than 20-25).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I wouldn’t expect another 40-point blowout, as I’d expect the Knicks to come out of the gate stronger and more aggressive than they did Wednesday, but preseason or not, a win is a win. Go get ‘em!</p> </p> </p> <p align="center"><font size="6">Projected Starters</font> <font color="#339966"><font color="#000080"><font color="#339900">Kendrick Perkins</font></font></font><font color="#339966"><font color="#000080"> <font color="#000000">vs.</font> <font color="#0000ff">Eddy Curry</font></font></font> <font color="#000080"> </font><font color="#339966"><font color="#000080"><font color="#339900">Kevin Garnett</font></font></font><font color="#000080"><font color="#339966"><font color="#000080"> <font color="#000000">vs.</font> <font color="#0000ff">Zach Randolph</font></font></font></font> <font color="#339966"><font color="#000080"><font color="#339900">Paul Pierce</font> <font color="#000000">vs.</font> <font color="#0000ff">Quentin Richardson</font></font></font> <font color="#339966"><font color="#000080"><font color="#339900">Ray Allen</font></font></font><font color="#339966"><font color="#000080"> <font color="#000000">vs.</font> <font color="#0000ff">Jamal Crawford</font></font></font> <font color="#339966"><font color="#000080"><font color="#339900">Rajon Rondo</font> <font color="#000000">vs.</font> <font color="#0000ff">Stephon Marbury</font></font></font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><font size="6">Key Matchup</font> vs. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black">I used this as the key matchup last Wednesday as well, but I have to go with it again. To me, watching Perk bang around with Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph is a much needed test. Can he stay out of foul trouble and play smart defense, despite the size of </span><st1:state><st1lace><span style="color: black">New York</span></st1lace></st1:state><span style="color: black">’s front court? That’s one of the biggest keys for this team in 2007-2008, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can play smart basketball and focus less on jawing with the opposition.</span></p>
Another win by 40 points? Maybe...lol</p> At this point I would play the reseves as much as I could, give them time to know each other, the spacing, and hopefully be able to gel enough so at least when the season begins, they don't look like a college team out there.</p>
Greg Dickerson just reported that KG, Paul, and Ray will all play tonight, but Doc is going to give Perk another night off.</p>
Why are the Celts losing? Seems Garnett is working hard, but they're playing sloppy.</p> A dumb play by Peirce...committed the charge on a 3-1 fast break. if this were a reg. sesason game, I'd be disappointed in the Celts.</p> Wait..fuck that, preseason or not, this is the Knicks. Come on.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Whats up with Perk? Tired already? lol</p> </p> </div></p> It's basically Doc's decision to sit him two straight games. With Pollard out, he wants to make sure Perk is well rested and ready to go.</p> </p>
Second half of the game was like a regular season one, we just couldn't make shots. Allen missed 10 straight after making the first 3.</p> A grades for Pierce, Garnett, Powe and Posey.</p>
