There has always been bad blood between the New York Knicks (25-14) and the Boston Celtics (20-21), but after the confrontation between their 2013 NBA All-Star Starters, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett earlier this month, it should make Thursday night interesting when the Knicks visit Boston.
The Knicks-Celtics rivalry took a new, personal twist on Jan. 7 when the Celtics handed the Knicks a bitter defeat 102-96 at Madison Square Garden. Both Garnett and Anthony were issued technical fouls for on-court jawing between each other--one jab from Garnett aimed at Anthony's wife, Lala, who he said "tasted like Honey Nut Cheerios."
Anthony confronted Garnett after the game near the buses and the situation needed to be calmed down by Garden security.
The Knicks have been on a slide as of late, having lost six of their last 10 games, including an 88-85 home loss to the Nets on Monday, and have been running into problems when playing teams who play physical defense, such as the Celtics.
The Celtics, currently on a four-game losing streak, haven't been having much luck, either of late, falling six games behind the Atlantic Division-leading Knicks.
So, which of these bitter rivals has the advantage heading into a heated contest tonight on nationally televised TNT? Latinos Post breaks down the key match-ups:
Match-ups
Center: Tyson Chandler, Knicks vs. Kevin Garnett, Celtics
Chandler, who could very well be an NBA All-Star by the time tip-off takes place tonight, has been rebounding like a beast in the last five games, grabbing 14.4 rebounds per game, though his scoring has declined to only 8.6 points during those contests.
The best match-up the Knicks can throw at Garnett is Chandler, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Garnett's numbers have been well off his career averages this year, yet he still has been consistently scoring 15 or more points in the last four games. Whether Garnett's penchant for trash talk will rattle Chandler is debatable, but what is not is that these two will collide for a brutal and physical clash in the paint.
Advantage: Knicks
Power forward: Chris Copeland, Knicks vs. Brandon Bass, Celtics
The rookie Copeland, a natural scorer, showed signs of scoring potential with an impressive 22-points against the Hornets on Jan. 13. His point totals went back into single digits over the next two games, but his quick and athletic 6'8" frame could give the aging Celtics defense some problems.
Bass, no slouch at power forward either, is a solid defender who has no qualms getting physical. Look for him to try and slow down Carmelo Anthony.
Advantage: Even
Small forward: Carmelo Anthony, Knicks vs. Paul Pierce, Celtics
This will be a premiere match-up between two of the most dynamic players on each team.
Anthony scored only 20 points against Boston on Jan. 11 ,and got into foul trouble after verbally jousting with Garnett. But the NBA's third-best scorer has since rebounded with a bullish 30.3 points averaged in the last five games.
Pierce had a clutch game with 23 points at Madison Square Garden that night and should feel at home in the TD Garden at Boston, but his production has been mediocre in the last four Celtics losses, averaging 11.7 points during Boston's four-game slide. If Anthony can use his bigger, stronger frame to his advantage, and get some help with screens to block out Garnett and Bass, Anthony could have a Garden party of his own in Boston.
Advantage: Knicks
Shooting guard: Jason Kidd, Knicks vs. Avery Bradley, Celtics
Kidd has been solid all season for the Knicks, his veteran savvy and passing ability remain a big reason for why the Knicks have been on top of the division for most of the season. He doesn't score much these days, but when he does, he can be effective, especially when he find the three-point line.
Bradley is coming off sore ribs and only played 19 minutes on Sunday, so it's not clear if the Celtics' ace defender will be ready to be back to his old self.
Advantage: Even
Point Guard: Iman Shumpert, Knicks vs. Rajon Rondo, Celtics
Another big match-up will see the Celtics' All-Star starter Rondo take on the Knicks' defensive stopper Shumpert.
Shumpert's return from ACL surgery has been timely for the Knicks, who could use their sophomore star's skills in regards to being a lockdown defender. However, Shumpert is still dealing with knee issues and played only 20 minutes against Brooklyn on Monday. Expect him to share time with James White on point guard.
Rondo, the league leader in assists with 11.1 dishes per game, can also be a lethal scorer, having dropped 30 on bitter rival Chicago despite a 100-99 loss to them on Jan. 18. Shorthanded at point guard, both Shumpert and Kidd are going to have to work hard to contain Rondo and disrupt his uncanny passing skills.
Advantage: Celtics
Bench
For the Knicks, Pablo Prigioni is questionable for Thursday with a toe injury, but J.R. Smith and Amar'e Stoudemire provide an enormous one-two punch off the bench for the Knicks, despite Stoudemire also being limited to 20 minutes of playing time, while Ronnie Brewer adds defensive depth and Steve Novak adds his sharpshooting three-point touch for the New York reserve corps that once called themselves "Mobb Deep."
The Celtics counter with Jared Sullinger, who is a capable rebounder, capable scorer Jeff Green, and three-point specialist and defender Jason Terry. Not a bad bench for Boston.
Advantage: Knicks
TV Schedule
Game time begins at 8 p.m. EST on TNT. To watch the game in HD Quality, go to TNT Overtime via this link here.
Live Streaming Free
Live Streaming for the Game is can be seen via TNT Overtime. (No service provider required in the U.S. but subject to blackouts)