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New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics
It may not be the most anticipated first round match-up in the 2011 NBA playoffs, but the first game of the series between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics is perhaps the most glamorous.
Date/Time: Sunday, April 17, 7:00 PM ET
Venue: TD Garden in Boston, MA.
Broadcast: TNT
Money Line: Boston -290 / New York +240
Spread: Boston -6 1/2
Over/Under: 197
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The Knicks are in the post-season for the first time since 2004, and the fan base has been energized by the mid-season acquisition of Carmelo Anthony in a blockbuster trade with Denver. Anthony will be paired with Amare Stoudemire and will look to overcome Boston’s ‘Big Three’ of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.
The Celts won all four meetings with the Knicks this season, including two of those following the Knicks acquisition of Anthony. Boston will have Jermaine O’Neal healthy for the start of this series, but Shaquille O’Neal will not play in Game 1 and is not likely going to be available in the series.
Anthony assumed the leadership role after coming to New York from Denver, and finished his 27-game stint with the Knicks scoring 26.3 points per contest on 46.1 percent shooting. Stoudemire averaged 25.4 points per game, and is hoping to 100 percent after a late-season ankle injury. Chauncey Billups will also be a factor on offense for the Knickerbockers, averaging 17.5 PPG since joining New York’s squad.
As for Boston, they were 40-14 at the all-star break, and seemed a lock to clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference. But the Celtics are just 16-12 down the stretch of the season. The trade that brought Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic from Oklahoma City for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson, has not worked as well as Boston fans would have hoped for.
The Celts will need solid efforts from Garnett inside, and some additional work down low from Glen Davis as well on the boards. Rajon Rondo will also need to step up his game at the point, something he has done in recent playoff runs for the Celtics. Boston is looking to reach the NBA Finals for the third time in four seasons. The last time they did that was when they won four consecutive Eastern Conference titles from 1983-84 through 1986-87.
The odds makers have the Boston Celtics as a -6.5 point favorite with an over/under of 197.
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Matt’s Free Prediction: Celtics – The Knicks have struggled for the most part against the better teams in the NBA this season, especially since the trade. This figures to be a long series, but the Celtics should be able to get things started by protecting their home court in the opener.
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Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks 2011 Playoff Schedule
Game 1: Sun. April 17: New York @ Boston – 7:00 pm EST on TNT
Game 2: Tue. April 19: New York @ Boston – 7:00 pm EST on TNT
Game 3: Fri. April 22: Boston @ New York – TBD on ESPN
Game 4: Sun. April 24: Boston @ New York – 3:30 pm EST on ABC
Game 5: Tue. April 26: New York @ Boston – TBD
*Game 6: Fri. April 29: Orlando @ New York – TBD
*Game 7: Sun. May 01: New York @ Boston – TBD
* If necessary
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