New Look Knicks Come to Town Hoping to Renew Old Rivalry
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics, Nov 18, 2008 7:30 PM EST
at 
New York Knicks (6-4) at Boston Celtics (9-2)
Tuesday, November 18
7:30 PM
Game #12, Home Game #7
TV: CSNHD, MSG, NBA LP 755
Radio: WEEI
TD Banknorth Garden
Game Thread l Chat
Knicks Blogs Posting and Toasting l A Knicks Fan Weblog l The Knicks Fix
The Celtics have renewed old rivalries with the Lakers, the Pistons and the Sixers and now the Knicks are hoping to renew another rivalry as they come into TD Banknorth Garden. The Knicks have a new GM and a new coach and a whole new outlook. They are now a running team that plays defense and have started the season 6-4.
The last time they started the season 6-4 was 1998, which was the season that they became the first number 8 seed ever to advance to the finals. With their early success this season, they are hoping that they will have similar success come playoff time.
The Celtics swept the series 4-0 last season which was the first time since 2002-03 that the Celtics were able to accomplish that. But, that was a far different team than they face tonight. Isiah Thomas is gone and Mike d'Antoni and his runnning game are in his place. Stephon Marbury is in the inactive list and Chris Duhon is running the show. And, just like every other team in the league after the Celtics's success last season, they are playing defense. The Celtics better not take them for granted.
Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Rajon Rondo vs Chris Duhon
SG: Ray Allen vs Jamal Crawford
SF: Paul Pierce vs Quentin Richardson
PF: Brian Scalabrine vs Wilson Chandler *
C: Kendrick Perkins vs Zach Randolph
*Just a guess that Doc will start Scal in KG's absence, since Scal got the call last season when KG was out.
Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
Patrick O'Bryant
Probable Inactive
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
SUSPENDED
Kevin Garnett
Injuries
None
Reserves
Malik Rose
Nate Robinson
David Lee
Mardy Collins
Danilo Gallinari
Jerome James
Anthony Roberson
Eddie Curry
Jared Jeffries
Stephon Marbury
Probable Inactive
Eddie Curry
Jared Jeffries
Stephon Marbury
Injuries
Danilo Gallinari (back) out
Jerome James (personal reasons) out
Jared Jeffries (fibula) out
Eddie Curry (knee) doubtful
Matchups to Watch
vs 
Last season, the matchup between Paul Pierce and Quentin Richardson got very chippy. At one point, QRich called Pierce out to fight him. This is a matchup to watch as there is bad blood between these two players.
vs 
Zach Randolph is one of the Knicks top scorers and they go inside often. There is going to be quite a battle inside between these two big centers.
Honorable Mention
Rajon Rondo vs Chris Duhon
Rondo has been struggling somewhat lately and Duhon has been playing well for the Knicks. The Knicks want to run and it will be up to Rondo to slow Duhon down and in doing so, slow the Knicks offense down as well.
Team Connections:
Jerome James and Ray Allen were teammates in Seattle
Doc played for the Knicks from 1992-1995
Tom Thibodeau was the Knicks' assistant coach from 1996-2000
Stephon Marbury and Kevin Garnett were teammates in Minnesota
Stephon Marbury and Ray Allen were traded for each other in 1996
Quentin Richardson and Eddie House were teammates with the Clippers
Eddie House played for Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix
Keys to the Game
Start Strong How many times can the Celtics allow themselves to go down by double digits and then come back to win? They need to come out strong and take control of the game from the beginning.
Be Consistent Against Milwaukee, the Celtics seemed to have the game in hand, up by 15 points. But they couldn't hold the lead and had to go to OT to get the win. It seems that either the bench or the starters struggle at times in every game. They need to play as a team and play hard from start to finish.
Guard the Perimeter The Knicks are a good 3 point shooting team. They are shooting 39% from beyond the arc and have 3 players in the top 20 in threes made. Jamal Crawford leads the league in 3's made and so it should be a shoot out at the shooting guard position in this game.
Crash the Boards Rebounding is an indication of effort and desire. When they crash the boards and out-rebound their competition, they will more than likely win because of the effort and desire that go along with rebounding.
Take Care of the Ball The Celtics are 29th in the league in turnovers, averaging 17.2 per game. This is way too many and when a team gives away that many possessions, they are courting disaster.
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36 comments
Comments
Props to D'Antoni
I thought the guy was crazy coming to NYC but seeing what is aging quickly in Phoenix he looks pretty smart. He has sorted out who between Eddie Curry and Zack Randolph was a keper and who was a dog. He has shown conviction re Marbury. They are not the train wreck that it looked like they would be for years to come. Gotta hand it to him.
Scal DID NOT look bad last game. Hope to see O’ryant tonight.
by Wildblu1 on Nov 18, 2008 12:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Last season...
… we won 104-59 the first time we met with the Knicks on November. One of the best games of last season IMO.
With D’Antoni they should be able to score a bit more at least. But tonight we should prove once again that great defense is better than great offense in the long run.
Also, with KG out, I fully expect PP to have a huge game. QRich can’t guard, and simply because that’s what Paul always did when he was ‘alone’ on this team years back; score a ton of point against them.
It would be interesting to see Scal get the start. Btw, I caught the Knicks last game against Dallas and I think I saw Randolph being really ‘into’ the game (if you know what I mean) for the first time in I don’t know how long. Also, D’Antoni was extremely mad at his team after they led the entire game but ended up loosing it and missing something like their las 13 shots LOL.
Go Cs!
Teamwork...
Defense...
Ubuntu...
The Boston Celtics
by Dirk on Nov 18, 2008 3:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The Big Men
Need to show up.
by The Real Large James 2 on Nov 18, 2008 5:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
C'mon Champ!
It’s a good thing! If nothing else think of the comedy PO-tential.
See you in the chat homie.
by Green17 on Nov 18, 2008 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure would be nice
to see the C’s make a statement with this game.
by spinz on Nov 18, 2008 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
you mean something like last year’s 50pt destruction…yes that would be nice.
by Green17 on Nov 18, 2008 7:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Scal Starts!
draws an early charge…and plays horrible d on chandler leading to an open 3
by Green17 on Nov 18, 2008 7:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
aaaaah god, i dont think i can take another close game against a team like this.
by spinz on Nov 18, 2008 7:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
aaaaaaaaa perk, they can foul him all day with the way hes shooting freethrows
by spinz on Nov 18, 2008 8:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Why do i feel like im watching same game every night.
by spinz on Nov 18, 2008 8:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
team really needs a game like that without KG
by spinz on Nov 18, 2008 8:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
its weird to think of this as a must-win when theyr 9-2 at the beginning of the season, but it would be a huge confidence breaker to lose against a team they should beat missing KG.
by spinz on Nov 18, 2008 8:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i’d say more getting killed by wilson chandler
by Green17 on Nov 18, 2008 8:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
anyone know where i can watch the game? its blacked out on league pass thx
by twinbree on Nov 18, 2008 9:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
theyr having video problems, you can listen to it on CSN
by spinz on Nov 18, 2008 9:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
oh ok thx but i live in pa so i’m stuck with csn philly :(
by twinbree on Nov 18, 2008 9:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
and the celts are letting the knicks hang around….
by Green17 on Nov 18, 2008 9:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
is it too much to ask?
for one game that the c’s win by more than 8?
by spinz on Nov 18, 2008 9:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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