Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden – New York, New York
Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 5:05 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Opening Line: New York -3
Current Line: New York -3
Opening Total: 182
Current Total: 182
Opening Money Line: Knicks -155 / Celtics +135
Current Money Line: Knicks -155 / Celtics +135
The 36-25 Boston Celtics are the hottest team in basketball since the All-Star break with a 21-8 record. The Celtics, coached by Doc Rivers, have won 5 of their last 6 games and 2 in a row including 94-82 win over lowly Charlotte Sunday. It was the third game in 3 days for Boston, so Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen didn’t even make the trip to Charlotte. All three are expected to play tonight. The Celtics lead the Atlantic division by 4.5 games over New York and Philadelphia. Boston can clinch the division title Tuesday night with a win at New York and a Philadelphia loss to Indiana. This is the last game in a 4 game road trip for the Celtics. The Celtics are 3 games behind Indiana for the #3 seed in the East.
The 31-29 New York Knicks are tied with Philadelphia for the last playoff spot in the East. Both teams lead Milwaukee by 2 games for the last spot. The Knicks are 13-5 since coach Mike D’Antoni resigned March 17 and was replaced by interim coach Mike Woodson. The Knicks lost at home 93-85 Sunday to Miami to snap a two game winning streak. The Knicks complete a 3 game home stand with this game against the Celtics, before playing 4 of their last 5 games on the road.
This is the fourth and last meeting of the season between long time rivals Boston and New York. All three meetings have been decided by 4 points or less. New York won at home 106-104 to open the season on Christmas Day. The Celtics won 91-89 in Boston February 3, and 115-111 in overtime March 4 also in Boston. The two rivals met in the first round of the playoffs last year with Boston sweeping New York in 4 games.
Boston is outscoring opponents 92-89 this season. The Celtics are #3 in points allowed in the NBA. Boston is shooting 45.9% from the field and 36.4% from 3 point range. The Celtics make 77.9% from the free throw line. Boston is in the top 6 in the league in all three shooting categories. Boston is #29 in the league in rebounding averaging just 39.2 a game with a rebounding margin of -4. The Celtics average 23.8 assists, 14.9 turnovers, 7.3 steals, and 5.6 blocks a game. Boston is third in the league in assists. Celtic opponents are shooting 41.6% from the field and 29.7% from 3 point range. The Celtics lead the lead in both categories. Boston forces 15.3 turnovers a game.
Paul Pierce averages 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. He is probable with a toe injury. Kevin Garnett averages 15.9 points, 8.4 rebounds to lead the team, 2.9 assists, and 1 block a game. Ray Allen averages 14.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. He has missed the last 4 games with an ankle injury and 10 of the last 15. He is listed as probable tonight. Forward Brandon Bass averages 12.6 points, and 6.2 rebounds a game. Rajon Rondo averages 12.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 11.6 assists, and 1.8 steals a game. He leads the league in assists, and leads the Celtics in steals. Center Jermaine O’Neal led the Celtics in blocks with 1.7 a game, but he is out for the season with a wrist injury.
New York is outscoring opponents 97-94 this season. The Knicks are shooting 43.9% from the field and 32.3% from 3 point range. New York makes 74.3% from the free throw line. The Knicks average 42.3 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of +0.2. New York averages 19.7 assists, 16.3 turnovers, 9.5 steals, and 4.3 blocks. Knick opponents are shooting 43.8% from the field and 34.7% from 3 point range. New York forces 17.2 turnovers a game.
Knick forward Carmelo Anthony averages 20.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Forward Amare Stoudemire averages 17.6 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. He has missed the last 11 games with a bulging disc and is doubtful against Boston Tuesday. Point guard Jeremy Lin is out with a torn meniscus in his knee. He could return for the Playoffs if the Knicks make it that far. He averaged 14.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists to lead the team, and 1.6 steals a game. Anthony has been almost a one-man team without Stoudemire and Lin, but Anthony has been spectacular. Guard J.R. Smith averages 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals a game in 28 games since coming back from playing in China. Center Tyson Chandler averages 11.1 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game to lead the team in the latter two categories. Iman Shumpert averages 9.7 points, and leads the Knicks in steals with 1.8 a game.
The Knicks are 31-29 ATS this season and the total is 23-37. The Celtics are 31-28-2 ATS this season and the total is 25-33-3 this season. The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 against the Knicks, and 4-0 in New York. Boston is 8-0-1 ATS after a straight up win of 10 points or more, 3-0-2 as an underdog, 6-0-1 as an underdog of 4.5 points or less, 3-0-1 in road games against teams with winning home records, 7-1-1 after a cover, 7-1 on 1 day rest, 6-1-1 in road games, 6-1 as a road underdog of 4.5 points or less, 5-1-2 against teams with winning records, 8-2-1 against Eastern Conference teams, 4-1-1 as a road underdog, 7-2-1 after a straight up win, and 18-7-2 overall. New York is 6-0 ATS after a straight up loss, and 6-0 at home against teams with losing records, 5-0 after failing to cover, 4-0 as a favorite, 18-4 at home, including 13-3 as a home favorite, 14-5 overall, 11-4 as a home favorite of 4.5 points or less, 13-5 against Eastern Conference teams, 35-17 in Tuesday games, and 2-5 against Atlantic teams.
Boston rested their starters against a horrible Charlotte team that has only won 7 games all season. That rest should help them against Carmelo and the Knicks. I see a similar game for Carmelo as what he did against the Heat Sunday. He had a huge game with 42 points but got very little help from the rest of his teammates in the 93-85 loss. Carmelo will get his but the Celtics are just a better, deeper team. Boston wins and gets closer to the division title.
