The defending champion Boston Celtics and their quest to repeat rolls on.
After dispatching the Orlando Magic in five games in the first round of the playoffs, the No. 2 Celtics now have a date against the No. 3 New York Knicks, who had to grind out their series against the young Detroit Pistons.
New York had to expend a lot of energy to get past Detroit, needing to come from behind in the fourth quarter in three of its four victories. And the games were hard-fought and tight, too; the last four games of the series were decided by nine points, combined.
ANALYSIS: Against the loaded Celtics, the Knicks need much more from Karl-Anthony Towns
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Here’s everything you need to know about the first-round series between the No. 3 New York Knicks and No. 2 Boston Celtics:
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics most important players to watch
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns: Yes, Jalen Brunson is the steady, clutch, volume scorer that New York will rely on to stress Boston’s defense. But the Knicks will need Towns to be assertive both in the paint and from the perimeter. Several times in the first round, Towns was more of an afterthought, ranking fourth on the team in a few games in field goal attempts. New York will not have a chance if Towns isn’t averaging in the mid-20s in points per game.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum: He did miss Game 2 of the first round against the Magic with a wrist injury, but Tatum closed the series strong, averaging 36 points over the final three games. The most impressive part about Tatum’s final games in the Magic series was how aggressive he was and how often he got to the line; across Games 3, 4 and 5, he attempted 37 free throws, making every single one.
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics preview
How the Knicks will win: New York appeared to solve its third quarter issues against the Pistons in the decisive Game 6 victory, but it cannot afford to suffer such lapses against Boston. The Knicks also will need to reduce turnovers and, ideally, get more from their bench.
How the Celtics will win: The Celtics handled the Magic, a very good defensive team, with relative ease. The Knicks do present a little more length in defensive matchups, with OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges likely matching up against Tatum and Jaylen Brown. As long as Boston maintains its defensive intensity and continues to share the ball, it should have enough firepower to head to its fourth consecutive Eastern Conference Finals.
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics stat
The starting five from the New York Knicks of Brunson, Anunoby, Bridges, Towns and Josh Hart led the NBA for five-man lineups in minutes played (940), points (2,283), field goals made (868) and attempted (1,718), 3-pointers made (220) and attempted (605), rebounds (815) and assists (574).
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics predictions
Lorenzo Reyes: Celtics in 5
Heather Tucker: Celtics in 5
James Williams: Celtics in 6
Jeff Zillgitt: Celtics in 6
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics schedule
Game 1: Knicks at Celtics | Monday, May 5, 7 p.m. | TNT
Game 2: Knicks at Celtics | Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m. | TNT
Game 3: Celtics at Knicks | Saturday, May 10, TBD | ABC
Game 4: Celtics at Knicks | Monday, May 12, TBD | ESPN
Game 5: Knicks at Celtics | Wednesday, May 14, TBD | TNT*
Game 6: Celtics at Knicks | Friday, May 16, TBD | ESPN*
Game 7: Knicks at Celtics | Monday, May 19, 8 p.m. | TNT*
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics season series
The Celtics swept all four games of the regular-season series against the Knicks.
Oct. 22: Celtics 132, Knicks 109
Feb. 8: Celtics 131, Knicks 104
Feb. 23: Celtics 118, Knicks 105
April 8: Celtics 119, Knicks 117 (OT)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Knicks vs. Celtics: Players to watch, predictions, TV schedule
