<div align="center"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">32-6</span> <span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">@</span> <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">13-27</span> Monday, January 21, 2008 - 1:00 pm ET Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) Game aired on CSN & NBA TV</div> The last time the Celtics and Knicks met, New York was delivered Grade A beating at the TD BankNorth Garden. At one point in the game, the C’s led by 52 points and went on to win it by 45, 104-59. In addition, the only thing keeping the Knicks from scoring a franchise-low 56 points was a buzzer-beating heave from mid-court by Nate Robinson. That’s bad enough, but the final score doesn’t tell the half of it. The Knicks completely gave up on head coach Isiah Thomas in the first half, and played without a single ounce of heart. A Knicks fan was so disgusted with his team that he got up out of his seat, took his jersey off, and threw it away. To top it off, fans stood outside Madison Square Garden with “Fire Isiah” chants and signs shortly after. The outlook of the franchise seemed to be at an all-time low. Over seven weeks later, Isiah Thomas is still employed and believe it or not, is actually coaching his team to victory as of late. Without the dramatic presence of point guard Stephon Marbury, who is set to undergo surgery on his mysteriously sore left ankle, the Knicks have finally shown some signs of life with four victories in their last five outings. High-point man Jamal Crawford (19.8 PPG) has taken over the reigns at the point guard position in place of Marbury, and has held averages of 24.0 points and 5.4 assists per game throughout this winning stretch. While the never-ending soap opera in New York shells out more laughs than a Martin Lawrence comedy act, the club looks to be playing with more fire as of late than they had been all season long. The C’s inevitably have their number after handing out that November 29th 45-point butt-kicking, but today’s game should be a much tighter battle. Barring a complete mental meltdown, expect the Knicks to put up a fight and play physical basketball. Happy Martin Luther King Day - Go get ‘em, green! Projected Starters C Kendrick Perkins / Eddy Curry PF Kevin Garnett / Zach Randolph SF Paul Pierce / Quentin Richardson SG Ray Allen / Fred Jones PG Rajon Rondo / Jamal Crawford Key Matchup: Kendrick Perkins vs. Eddy Curry One of the biggest keys to success, if not the biggest, is for the Celtics to control the paint and get an advantage inside. New York may have a cast full of problematic, selfish players, but they can really kill you inside if you’re not careful. Eddy Curry is a big reason for that. Perk needs to make sure he stays out of foul trouble and contain Curry on the block. Celtics X-Factor: Kendrick Perkins Back on October 22’s preseason matchup in New York, Perkins was out of the lineup and Kevin Garnett held the responsibility of containing the New York interior tandem of Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry. Luckily, Curry got himself into foul trouble and only played 18 minutes, but “The Big Ticket” was clearly exhausted in the final frame. He used all his energy on banging around with the wide bodies both on the block and on the boards, and was virtually useless offensively down the stretch because of it. Perkins needs to make sure he stays out of foul trouble and is able to stay on the floor to give Garnett help for extended minutes. Injury Report BOS – Rajon Rondo (bruised lower back, sore hamstring – game-time decision) NY – Stephon Marbury (left ankle) Celtics Keys to the Game • Control the Paint • Own the Boards • Attack, Attack, Attack • Ball Movement
I think the key match up is in the backcourt. The Knicks have been making most of their runs when Eddy is on the bench. When Zach crates double teams it leaves our guards open and the keys to our victories have been our shots falling through, especially from downtown. Also our defense has picked up substantially, but it's not everyday you play three all-stars on one team. We're definitely not losing by 45 again, I actually think it'll be close; we beat the Celtics last time at MSG during preseason. I know "it's only preaseason" but the big three played a majority of the game and played hard all throughout.
Make that 15 as the Knicks call time. Celtics are just driving and dishing - to Perkins. <u>He </u>leads the Knicks by five, Celtics lead 17-10 overall.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AEM @ Jan 21 2008, 01:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Make that 15 as the Knicks call time. Celtics are just driving and dishing - to Perkins. <u>He </u>leads the Knicks by five, Celtics lead 17-10 overall.</div> Knicks are paying too much attention to the star trio and are leaving Perkins open.
Didn't get a chance to watch the game, but a win was expected. Looks like Perk just dominated in the opening of the game, even getting a career high of 24 points! Congrats to Perkins.
<span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="color:#008000"><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%">W</span></span></span>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Causeway @ Jan 21 2008, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="color:#008000"><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%">W</span></span></span></div> As great as they are, the single green letter W's are getting a bit annoying Cause...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (aquaitious @ Jan 21 2008, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Causeway @ Jan 21 2008, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="color:#008000"><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%">W</span></span></span></div> As great as they are, the single green letter W's are getting a bit annoying Cause... </div> I agree, Celts fans have seen enough of those, they need to see some of these: <span style="font-family:Arial Black"><span style="color:#8b0000"><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%">L</span></span></span>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lavalamp @ Jan 22 2008, 12:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (aquaitious @ Jan 21 2008, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Causeway @ Jan 21 2008, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="color:#008000"><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%">W</span></span></span></div> As great as they are, the single green letter W's are getting a bit annoying Cause... </div> I agree, Celts fans have seen enough of those, they need to see some of these: <span style="font-family:Arial Black"><span style="color:#8b0000"><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%">L</span></span></span> </div> You're more than welcome to post those in the Heat forum, but we don't take kindly to that around here.
