New York Knicks: What to expect against the Boston Celtics

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 21: Kyle O'Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on October 21, 2017. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 21: Kyle O'Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on October 21, 2017. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The New York Knicks are set to square off with the division rival Boston Celtics. What can we expect to see in Boston on Tuesday, October 24?


Coming off a tough loss to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, October 21, the New York Knicks will look to rebound against the Boston Celtics. I mean that literally, as the Knicks need to crash the glass against a weak Celtics frontcourt.

Some questionable coaching decisions, and a lack of defensive prowess, led to the Knicks conceding a 21-point lead against the Pistons. A lot of good to take away from the game (Kristaps Porzingis dominating, strong bench play from Kyle O’Quinn), but a lot of head scratching decisions from Hornacek.

Here’s what the Knicks are going to see from the Celtics on Tuesday, October 24.

Kyrie Irving 

The Celtics need more from Kyrie Irving, both on and off the court. Everyone has been so high on Irving since he came into the league, and we’re going to get to see him be the center of attention every night in Boston.

I know it’s premature, but two games into the season, Irving has struggled mightily. Irving also felt it necessary to yell an expletive at a fan in Philadelphia, costing him $25,000.

It’s been a tough start for Irving so far this season, coming in shooting 37.3 percent from the field, but the Knicks are weak at point guard after Frank Ntilikina’s ankle injury.

Expect Irving to have a big game against New York’s depleted backcourt.

Rebounding 

The Celtics so far have held their own rebounding the ball, but in a small sample size, I’m not sold that Boston will be able to keep that streak going.

The Celtics’ glaring weakness is their inability to rebound the ball. Last year, their leading rebounder, Al Horford, averaged 6.8 per game. They have no real big that can keep up with Porzingis, Enes Kanter, O’Quinn, or Willy Hernangomez (if he plays).

Throughout the game, and every game the Knicks play, two of these bigs will be on the court at the same time. Expect the Knicks to dominate on the glass Tuesday night.

Ron Baker and Willy Hernangomez

So far this season, Knicks fans haven’t seen a lot of Ron Baker or Willy Hernangomez. I’m not sure why Hornacek hasn’t played either very much, but I think we’re going to start seeing these players getting more time.

With Ntilikina going down, this opens up a chance for Ron Baker to strut his stuff. He was a pleasant surprise for the Knicks last season, and will be given more of an opportunity to prove himself with Ntilikina’s injury.

I can’t see Ramon Sessions being the point guard for the foreseeable future, which means Baker should see more time against the Celtics.

Hernangomez is a completely different story. As the biggest surprise of the 2016-17 Knicks team, it’s questionable why he’s played four total minutes through two games in 2017-18.

As mentioned before, the Celtics are a very weak rebounding team. Hernangomez is a monster down low, so he should see more time on Tuesday.

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If the New York Knicks trust their bigs, they should be able to give the Boston Celtics trouble.