When these two teams meet it's always a big game. The Celtics have won eight in a row after a breaking a slump of their own against the Knicks a few years ago. The Knicks have not played well lately and there has been much turoil regarding Don Cheaney. Probable Starting Lineups PG- Mike James-Charlie Ward SG- Paul Pierce-Allan Houston SF- Kedrick Brown-Keith Van Horn PF- Vin Baker-Kurt Thomas C- Tony Battie-Dikembe Mutumbo Injury Report Raef Lafrentz, C The Celtics placed LaFrentz on the injured list Friday with right knee tendinitis. Dikembe Mutombo, C Mutombo, nursing a sore groin and admittedly in pain, may not be ready for Monday's game vs. Boston, the New York Post reports. Antonio McDyess, PF McDyess (knee) said he would like to participate in "more than one" full scrimmage before returning to the team, the New York Daily News reports. Key Player As the picture at the top says, the key player is Tony Battie. Yes, Tony Battie, with a not full strength Mutumbo the Knicks are weak at center. If Battie can score when needed the Knicks will be forced to have Kurt Thomas cover Battie opening things up for Vin Baker. Battie is coming off a season-high 15 points vs. Cleveland in which he scored 8 points in the first quarter, while Mutombo scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the loss to Indiana. Look for the Celtics to establish Battie early in the game and try to draw Mutombo away from the basket. The game may be decided on Battie's ability to knock down the open jump shot forcing Mount Mutombo away from the basket and creating driving lanes for Pierce and company. TEAM LEADERS Celtics Points P. Pierce 20.8 Rebounds P. Pierce 7.2 Assists P. Pierce 5.6 Steals M. James 1.33 Blocks M. Blount 1.56 FG% V. Baker .557 FT% P. Pierce .851 3PT% M. James .372 Knicks Points A. Houston 23.0 Rebounds K. Thomas 11.4 Assists C. Ward 6.9 Steals C. Ward 2.00 Blocks K. Thomas 1.78 FG% K. Thomas .460 FT% A. Houston .930 3PT% C. Ward .472 <u>ATLANTIC DIVISION STANDINGS</u> TEAM W L PCT GB Boston 5 4 .556 - New Jersey 5 5 .500 ? Philadelphia 5 5 .500 ? Washington 3 6 .333 2 New York 2 7 .222 3 Miami 2 8 .200 3 ? Orlando 1 9 .100 4 ? Interesting Stat This season the Celtics are yet to score or allow 100 points in a game.
