Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
3:00 PM ET, April 20, 2013
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Eastern Conference 1st Round
Game 1 – Series tied 0-0
Coverage: ABC
From all the Eastern Conference first round matchups, this is by far the most heated and physical series of them all. These two teams met up last season in the first round with the Celtics sweeping the Knicks in 4 games, something All-Star Carmelo Anthony says he has relived a thousand times over in his head. The Knicks opened their season series with a loss to the Celtics but came back strong winning the following three games. The Knicks ended the regular season winning 15 of 17, defeating many top ranked playoff contenders during this stretch.
This first game will come down to how well the Celtics can rotate their defense and protect the paint, while at the same time covering the three point line. The Knicks will try to slow down the post-game and contain Paul Pierce and KG, who seem to come alive when they play in Madison Square Garden. Boston will need their bench to step up their game when they are on the floor, while controlling the clock will be key to their success. As for the Knicks, they know they can score, they know they can shoot; now they need to make sure they can defend and hold off one of the most experienced teams in the League.
YOUR INSIDE SCOOP…
The Knicks have outplayed the Celtic s in their last three regular season meetings, but the Celtics own the Knicks in postseason play. They know how to push this team harder than the rest when it is needed and they are very unpredictable. You have to shut them all down if you want to win. The Knicks are -5 in this game and against a team like the Celtics, I would say it is insane, take Boston. However, this year, the Celtics have been destroyed by injuries and are just a shell of their old selves. So it is with a heavy heart, that I side with the Public and advise them on New York in this opening game.
