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New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics: How to watch, preview and prediction

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 15: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks to pass as he is defended by Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the first half of their preseason game at Madison Square Garden on October 15, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 15: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks to pass as he is defended by Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the first half of their preseason game at Madison Square Garden on October 15, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 09: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against the Houston Rockets during the preseason game on October 9, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 09: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against the Houston Rockets during the preseason game on October 9, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Player To Watch: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Tim Hardaway Jr. has received his fair share of criticism, but he’s also been tasked with facing murderer’s row. He encountered Andre Roberson and Paul George in the season opener, and Avery Bradley in the home opener.

After going up against three elite on-ball defenders in the first two games, Hardaway will have it no easier when he encounters Boston Celtics combo guard Marcus Smart.

Hardaway finished the preseason with averages of 17.8 points and 3.2 three-point field goals made on a slash line of .507/.432/.833. He’s lost that magic touch through two regular season games, however, averaging 11.0 points on an abysmal slash line of .269/.294/1.000.

It’s worth noting that Hardaway caught fire during the fourth quarter of the loss to the Detroit Pistons, but consistency and efficiency have been elusive thus far.

Save Kawhi Leonard, Hardaway has been asked to score against, perhaps, the three best wing defenders in the NBA. True as that may be, he’s far too important to the Knicks to allow a poor shooting performance to limit the entirety of his contributions.

Hardaway’s specialty may be scoring, but if his shot isn’t falling against the Celtics, he’ll need to find other ways to contribute—on both ends of the floor.

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