New York Knicks Preview: Keys To Defeating The Boston Celtics
Nov 11, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) and Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) battle for a loose ball during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Knicks will look to achieve a form of redemption on Christmas Day. What must the Knicks do to defeat the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden?
It’d be fair to say that the 115-87 loss to the Boston Celtics on November 11 was a turning point for the New York Knicks. Since that 28-point blowout loss pushed the Knicks to 3-5 on the season, they’ve gone 13-8.
On Christmas Day, the Knicks will have an opportunity exact a measure of revenge when the Celtics come to Madison Square Garden.
Boston and New York enter this game with similar records and legitimate postseason aspirations. The Celtics come to Madison Square Garden at 17-13 overall and 11-7 on the road, while the Knicks are 16-13 and 11-4 at home.
Whichever team wins this game will not only leapfrog the other in the standings, but temporarily secure a place in the Top 4 in the Eastern Conference.
It’s far too early to put stock into a team’s place in the standings, but both the Celtics and Knicks need this win. Boston is looking to rebound from a tough loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and New York needs to avenge one of its most devastating losses.
The question is: what will be the keys to victory when the New York Knicks resume the rivalry with the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day?
Dec 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) is congratulated by head coach Jeff Hornacek after making a 3-point basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
5. Establish The 3-Ball Early
The first time around, the New York Knicks were exploited as a team that hadn’t yet figured out how to play together. That was no more noticeable than in the fact that the Knicks continuously fell into isolation sets and jacked up horrific shot attempts from distance.
The jitters were even more present in the fact New York couldn’t make manageable shots, as evidenced by it going 6-of-23 from beyond the arc.
The Celtics rank in the Top 10 in both 3-point field goals allowed per game and opponent 3-point field goal percentage. Thus, it’s unlikely that the Knicks will be able to convert the 3-point shot at an elite rate, but that doesn’t mean they can’t establish the 3-ball early.
Developing an early rhythm would open the driving lanes and force the Celtics to focus on the threat of the 3-point shot.
The Knicks don’t need to force the issue with the 3-point shot, but there are players who need the ball early. Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis can stretch the floor and set a positive tone offensively, and Courtney Lee feasts in the first quarter.
Lee has done an excellent job of getting the Knicks off to hot starts in 2016-17, which makes him the perfect player to lead an early charge against Boston.
Nov 11, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) and Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) battle for a loose ball during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
4. Limit Turnovers
The New York Knicks played at an unspeakably horrible level the last time these two teams met. The number that hurts the most to read, however, can be found in the box score in the turnovers column.
When the Knicks lost 115-87 to the Boston Celtics in November, they committed an unfathomable 25 turnovers.
It’s highly unlikely that the Knicks will commit 25 turnovers this time around. Boston ranks No. 10 in the NBA in turnovers forced per game, however, which implies that it will continue to create havoc against the Knicks.
If New York isn’t careful, it may allow the Celtics to turn defense into offense and run away with another lopsided victory.
The Knicks are allowing 16.7 points off of turnovers per game, which is more than all but 11 teams in the NBA. The Celtics create 16.4 points via turnovers per game, which falls right in line with New York’s season average.
Taking care of the ball should be a top priority against any opponent, but Boston is the type of team that can make New York pay.
Al Horford has moved on from the Atlanta Hawks to the Boston Celtics, but that doesn’t make him any less of a threat to Kristaps Porzingis and the New York Knicks. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
3. Kristaps Porzingis vs. Al Horford
A number of matchups could be focused on as one that will define this game. That includes the battles between Derrick Rose and Isaiah Thomas, Courtney Lee and Avery Bradley, and the two second units, but the biggest battle will be down low.
With similar skill sets and just height and experience separating them, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis should put on a show on Christmas.
In 2015-16, Horford and Porzingis were two of three players to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 75 3-point field goals. That alone should offer insight into how well-rounded they are.
Horford has the advantage of being an outstanding passer and impressive ball-handler, while Porzingis is the more productive scorer of the two.
Horford enters this rivalry game averaging 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.4 3-point field goals made per game. Porzingis is averaging 19.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 2.1 3-point field goals made per game.
Horford is one of the most consistent players in the NBA, which places a heavy burden on Porzingis to show up and show out.
Dec 22, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Boston defeats Indiana 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
2. Avoid Foul Trouble
The single biggest issue the New York Knicks ran into against the Boston Celtics on Friday, November 11 was the inability to avoid foul trouble. New York sent Boston to the line for an absurd 43 free throw attempts.
The Celtics scored 34 of their 115 points at the charity stripe, with four different players attempting at least seven free throws.
The Knicks are allowing 26.4 free throw attempts per game, which is tied for the fourth-worst mark in the NBA. Thus, it wasn’t just a one-game happening when the defense couldn’t stop fouling the Celtics.
New York has run into this issue on a consistent basis in 2016-17, with Boston being the team that exploited it the worst.
The Celtics have the personnel to drive the lane and crash the offensive glass—two of the easiest ways to draw contact. New York must limit the Celtics’ effectiveness in both areas, but even if it can’t, it must stay out of foul trouble.
That isn’t limited to avoiding shooting fouls, as New York must stop putting the opposition in the bonus so early in quarters.
Nov 11, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) walks off the court after receiving his second technical foul during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
1. Carmelo Anthony
The last time the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics met, Carmelo Anthony got off to a scorching hot start. He made five of his first eight field goal attempts, hit a 3-point bomb, and made a free throw to bring his tally to 12 points in his first 12 minutes of court time.
Unfortunately, Anthony was ejected after picking up back-to-back technical fouls and the Knicks never recovered.
This time around, Anthony should be out to send a message to the division rival Celtics. He was playing exceptionally well at the time of his ejection, which was a sign that Boston had no answer for him as a scorer.
Jae Crowder wasn’t available for that game and will be present Sunday, however, which makes this matchup one to monitor.
Crowder is an excellent 3-point shooter and a rugged defender who could give Anthony trouble on both ends of the floor. He can go to the post, facilitate the offense, get out in transition, or take his man off the bounce, which means Anthony will need to be at his best on both ends of the floor.
Carmelo Anthony doesn’t necessarily need to channel his inner Bernard King, but if he could on this Christmas Day, the memories would be unforgettable.
At the very least, the Knicks need a win. Anthony is the player who can provide one.
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