Boston @ New York

[44Thrilla]

mrj18 asked me to post this in here because he's too busy to do the preview for tonight. I know it doesn't compare to the great previews that you're used to from him, but I guess you'll have to deal with it. I did this preview for the Celtics forum, so please excuse any green bias to it.


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Things to think about:

- The Celtics have the longest winning streak in the league.
- The season series is 3-0 in favor of Boston
- The Knicks beat the best team in the league on Monday
- With a win, the Celtics will sweep the series with the Knicks for the third time in four seasons.


The Knicks have been impressing people lately. This game should not be taken lightly. This isn't the Hornets. This team is capable of winning any game that they play in. They've beaten the Spurs(without Duncan, but it still speaks volumes) and they've taken Miami to the final seconds, both in the last week.

Offensively, the Knicks are loaded with weapons. Defensively, they are a very underrated team. Trevor Ariza and Malik Rose play their roles very well off the bench. They are both great defensive players, and could give the Celtics problems. Mike Sweetney will also be trouble because he has a combination of size and athleticism that Boston can not matchup with. If Doc doesn't get the Celtics up for this game, they will not win. If they put forth the same effort that they did against other bottom-of-the-barrel teams, they won't stand a chance.



Team Leaders

Points- P. Pierce 21.8
Rebounds- A. Walker 9.1
Assists- G. Payton 6.0
Steals- P. Pierce 1.7
Blocks- A. Walker 1.6

Points- S. Marbury 21.3
Rebounds- K. Thomas 10.3
Assists- S. Marbury 8.1
Steals- S. Marbury 1.4
Blocks- K. Thomas 1.1


Key Injuries

? Gary Payton (May sit out due to Back problems)
? Allan Houston (IL)
? Penny Hardaway (IL)
? Kurt Thomas (IL)



Key Matchup
Stephon Marbury vs. Boston's 3 Point Guards

[imgr]http://www.nba.com/media/act_marcus....nba.com/media/act_stephon_marbury.jpg[/imgl]
The reason that this matchup will be so important is because New York doesn't have a true backup at his position. The Celtics need to do a good job of platooning thier point guards so that Marbury has to be on his game for the entire 40+ minutes that he plays. Each of Boston's point guards are capable of attacking Marbury, but in different ways. Banks has a slight speed advantage, and should be able to penetrate. Payton can take Marbury down in the post, especially when he's showing signs of fatigue. Delonte can get Marbury going back, and show off his jumpshot. All three of these guys will have trouble staying with Stephon, but if they tire him on the defensive end, they can take away from his offensive productivity.





Prediction

The Celtics will take this one because of their speed and depth. New York is having injury problems, and their depth has been effected. Ricky Davis will be taking advantage of that, making his case for the sixth man award, and also proving why he was the runner-up for Player of the Week honors last week.


Boston 101
New York 95</div>

 

[Mr. J]

Thanks for the help, 44. With finals and stuff coming up, I wouldn't be able to do the preview and might not be able to do it against the Sonics on Friday either.

On the Knicks and Celtics: I think the inasmuch as I want to see the Knicks lose so they can get a good lottery pick, I think we'll win this won against Boston. The Celtics have been one of the hottest teams in the league after the trade deadline but I think with the Knicks playoff hopes resting on this game, Herb will come out victorious. With the Knicks having a tough west coast trip begining on Friday, wining the final game of their homestand will be stressed by Herb Williams especially if it can put them 2 and 1/2 behind Philly for the 8th seed. Final Prediction:

The New York Knickerbockers: 105
The Boston Celtics: 95

 

[crazyrussianz]

Good Preview, hopefully the knicks come out on top I dont think the score is going to be very high i predict a Knicks 90 - Celtics 84 score, im soo hyped about the playoffs and i would appreciate it if we could get in

 

[SuperAMB]

This should be a good game. Unlike most people on these forums, I would like to see the Knicks in the playoffs (pleae don't flame me for this), and winning this game would be a step in the right direction. I refuse to sit and root for my team to lose. But anyways, I think that the absense of Kurt s will be a factor in this game, becasue I think that he can control Walker a bit better than Rose can, but Rose, like JYD, bring an intensity that is also good, so it will not be a HUGE factor, and Sweetney can guard Walker, but I think that we will miss his mid-range shot. Paul Pierce is the other factor. He is the biggest threat on the Celtics and the Knicks don't have a defense-oriented starting guard to contain him. I look for a big game from him, and a big game from Marbury on the Knicks' side. However, in a close game, I see the Knicks losing 97-93.

 

[crazyrussianz]

WoW for those of you who just watched or listend to the first 7 mintues lol 4 technicals, 1 flagerant foul lol omg this is wrestling not bball. the starting 3 on celtics are all on the bench, lafrentz, pierce and allen and davis got a technical on the bench lol

 

[crazyrussianz]

omg did anyone see that dish by crawford, to HIMSELF AGAAINNNNN OMG WHATTTTTTTT we are winning by 12 with like 4 min left in the 1st half

 

[JWohl]

current

heres how its goin so far ...TT has 11 points and 3 rebounds (amazing considering there is still 5 minutes to go to the half) and Craw has 14 / 2 / 3 while no one on the celtics has more than 6 ..... O yeah we are up 12, 46-34

 

[44Thrilla]

I've never seen officials totally lose control of a game like this. It's crazy.

That Crawford dunk off the glass was embarrasing. The look on Antoine Walker's face was priceless.

 

[Mr. J]

<font size="7">Halftime</font>
Knicks 56

 

[crazyrussianz]

omg what was that crappy call on jYD for taunting our own crown totall BS

 

[44Thrilla]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting crazyrussianz:</div><div class="quote_post">omg what was that crappy call on jYD for taunting our own crown totall BS</div>
Are you serious? With all the great things that the Knicks are doing in this game, that's what you're posting about?

Jamal Crawford, Jerome Williams, Trevor Ariza, and Mike Sweetney all need to be commended on the game that they're having. Whenever the C's have made any sort of a run, these guys have been there to put a quick end to it. New York is playing a phenomenal game right now, and I have to give them a lot of credit.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

Great game all around for the Knicks. Passing from Jay-Cee was...less then perfect. But a good game for him nonetheless. Marbury was fantastic, Ariza's defense was sensational, Malik Rose was superb...really, it was a great game for everyone except TT with his horrible fouls *sigh*. We picked apart Boston's halfcourt plays on defense that lead to the huge scoring run. Fantastic work in the paint from big Mo. Sweetney was pretty good, some bad passing and decision making down low, however. I was only really disappointed at the turnovers from New York. New York got a ton of rebounds too, really a nice change from the norm.
Good win.
BTW- Al Jefferson will be a star in this league. The kid is on his way, he has such great potential, it's incredible.

 

[JWohl]

cmon

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting crazyrussianz:</div><div class="quote_post">omg what was that crappy call on jYD for taunting our own crown totall BS</div>
There were so many good things and you focus on one of the few negatives......

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">BTW- Al Jefferson will be a star in this league. The kid is on his way, he has such great potential, it's incredible.</div>
I agree, KA. He has all the tools to be a star that's why it makes me happy about the Knicks in the draft. If Isiah can pick up a potential star with the 43rd pick, than who knows what he can do with a possible 7th or 28 pick. That's why I don't understand why everyone is knocking the trade when we can pick up some West's, Banks', Jeffersons, or Allen's!

 

[crazyrussianz]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JWohl:</div><div class="quote_post">There were so many good things and you focus on one of the few negatives......</div>


I just wanted to bring up the crappy calls the refs made i was just pointing it out during the game it was going so well then the *** *** caallz

<font color="blue">EDIT: No swearing. - Knicks Analyst</font>

 

[olskoolfunktitude]

Props to the Knicks for really unloading on an overconfident and uprepared celtics team. The green really embarassed themselves last night.

I wouldnt make to much of it though. They know they did bad and theyll correct the problem. There still a hot team and theyre still going to be a team to whatch out for in the eastern conference playoffs while the Knicks will be whatching the playoffs on tv.