Daily Knicks
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 15: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks goes for a dunk against the Boston Celtics on October 15, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 15: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks goes for a dunk against the Boston Celtics on October 15, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Prediction

The Boston Celtics are heavy favorites to finish the 2016-17 NBA regular season with a better record than the New York Knicks. The Celtics are also starting three relatively unproven players in Aron Baynes, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum, and recently lost Gordon Hayward for the season.

The odds may not be in the Knicks’ favor, but there’s no better time than now for the organization to upset the Celtics in Boston.

It may not be fair to ask Kristaps Porzingis to go off in a third consecutive game, but Boston should have no answer for him if he’s playing with confidence. Al Horford, Marcus Morris, and Tatum are all committed defenders, but they also give up a significant measure of size.

The 6’8″ Tatum, 6’9″ Morris, and 6’10” Horford shouldn’t be able to stop the 7’3″ Porzingis from going to the post and taking over in the way he did against Detroit and Oklahoma City.

Porzingis himself shouldn’t repeat his past mistakes of allowing the 6’4″ Marcus Smart to give him any trouble whatsoever, no matter how dynamic he may be.

If the centers can dominate the boards and keep Baynes occupied, the Knicks should win the war down low. It then comes down to the perimeter players, who may be outmatched defensively, but will be playing a young group of opponents.

It certainly wouldn’t hurt if the Knicks improved upon the fact that they’re shooting 15-of-54 from beyond the arc through two games.

Prediction: 103-101, Knicks

Must Read: Updated pros and cons of trading for Eric Bledsoe

The Boston Celtics are favored to win this game for a reason, but the New York Knicks will have a legitimate opportunity to pull off an early upset.

Home/Knicks News