Game 27: Knicks at Celtics
When: 6:00
Where: Beantown
Watch: MSG
Starting Lineups:
Celtics (25-2)
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG- Ray Allen
SF- Paul Pierce
PF-Kevin Garnett
C- Kendrick Perkins
Rest of rotation: Glen Davis, Leon Powe, Tony Allen, Eddie House
Knicks (11-14)
PG: Chris Duhon
SG: Quentin Richardson
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Al Harrington
C: David Lee
Rest of Rotation: Nate Robinson, Tim Thomas, Malik Rose
Injuries:
Bucks: N/A
Knicks: OUT: Eddy Curry (conditioning) Danilo Gallinari (back) Jared Jefferies (leg 1 week)
Clipboard:
Other Blog’s take: Celticsblog
Over the past few years, each and every Celtics/Knicks battle has been entertaining. Whether it results in a 45-point victory or a tightly contested matchup, one thing is promised – chippiness. Paul Pierce and Quentin Richardson consistently get into a verbal war of their own, and the rest have followed suit. In the last contest, played on November 18, three players and a coach (Mike D’Antoni) were hit with technicals in a 110-101 Boston win.
One of New York’s biggest instigators, however, will not be in the building. No, I’m not talking about Stephon Marbury (who may or may not pay thousands of dollars to sit courtside). I’m talking about Zach “Z-Bo” Randolph, who was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers last month in exchange for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley, who has put an end to his NBA career on account of health.
On the very same day, the Knicks sent high-scoring guard Jamal Crawford – who dropped 50 on Charlotte last night – to Golden State for Al Harrington. On paper, Crawford is far sexier than Harrington has ever been, but the other Big Al has been playing terrific basketball since being acquired by New York. In 13 games with the Knicks thus far, Harrington has held averages of 23.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while burying just under three triples each night.
Nothing has changed on the Stephon Marbury front, but this basketball team is very different from the last time we saw them. To replace Crawford in the starting lineup, D’Antoni has chosen to go with breakout midget Nate Robinson, who is averaging well-rounded 16-4-4 numbers. As a starter in five of his 18 games played this season, Robinson has put up 18 PPG on an efficient 47% clip, to go along with 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
A new roster, a new style, a new attitude, and a new long-term financial outlook. The Knicks are no longer a team to laugh at when you see “NYK” on the schedule. They can and will put forth a valiant effort, and they are not to be slept on.
Leave the in-game banter in the comments section. Let’s go Knicks.
