Celtics v. Knicks: Series Recap

NEW YORK -- It was as simple as one, two, three, four for the Boston Celtics, who completed a four-game sweep of  the New York Knicks April 24.

The series, which promised to be one of the most exciting going into the 2011 playoffs due to the teams' regular season matchups, ended up being somewhat of a dud.

The Knicks came into the series swinging like a boxer with nothing to lose, giving the Celtics all they could handle in the first two games, showing gumption and a strong physical presence, pushing the Celtics to win their games in the fading seconds of both Games 1 and 2.

Games 3 and 4 were a completely different story as the Celtics went to New York and dominated the Knicks. The wins included a record-setting performance from Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. The Knicks, whose nucleus had only played 18 games together, were battling a multitude of injuries throughout these playoffs and were hoping to come together against the reigning Eastern Conference champions.

But when the dust settled Sunday night in Madison Square Garden  it was the Celtics that had grown together as a team. Rajon Rondo had 21 points and 12 assists,  Kevin Garnett added 26 points and 10 rebounds while  Ray Allen and  Glen Davis each added 14 points for the Celtics to finish the clean sweep of the Knicks.

It was the first sweep the Celtics have had since 1992, beating the Indiana Pacers in three games. The win helped the Celtics advance to the second round early and also allowed them to get some rest before they play their next opponent: winner of Heat-Sixers. The Heat missed their opportunity to close out the Sixers April 26, losing in Philadelphia.

For the Knicks, the series loss left them with some big questions going into the offseason, including the status of head coach Mike D'Antoni, rumored to possibly be on the hot seat. Also, the Knicks have some glaring holes in the defense and rebounding categories that they have to address in the future.

Regardless of this year's outcome, it looks as though the Knicks will be a perinnial contender in the immediate future. For the Celtics, the future and their chances of a title will continue May 1.

Celtics v. Knicks: Game 4 Preview

New York -- Win or go home! Or, in the case of the Knicks, stay home.

The Knicks are coming into this Game 4 facing elimination and with the fresh wounds of a Game 3 drubbing at the hands of Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics. Rondo recorded his sixth postseason triple-double and had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 20 assists. Rondo set the Celtics record for assists in the postseason and is one of only seven players all time to record six triple-doubles in the postseason for their career.

Behind Rondo and Ray Allen's amazing shooting -- 75 percent from behind the arc for the series including eight threes in Game 3 -- the Celtics crushed the will of the Knicks early along with any hope the Knicks may have had of getting out of the first round.

The Knicks will come into Game 4 hoping to overcome the injury of Chauncey Billups, out for Game 4, and Amar'e Stoudemire who is listed as day-to-day. They will depend heavily on Carmelo Anthony to try and lead this team to victory even if Stoudemire is in the lineup.

The Knicks will need to play hard-nosed defense, try to slow Boston, penetrate and kick attacks by Rondo, while trying to get out in transition and score before the Celtics can recover. The Knicks will also look to aggressively attack Kevin Garnett and the rest of the Celtic's big men, hoping to get them in early foul trouble and opening up the paint for Stoudemire and Jared Jeffries.

There is much on the table in the way of hope for the Knicks, but they will not roll over and go quietly into the night. If anything, expect this game to get rough and physical before it's over, especially if the Knicks find themselves down big early.

If the Knicks can't beat them, they will at least try to send them home wounded for their second round matchup with the winner of Heat-Sixers.

So, the question is will the Knicks win and pack for Boston?. Chances are the Knicks will be packing suitcases tonight. It's just their vacation clothes that will be going inside.

Celtics v. Knicks: Game 2 Recap

BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics once again eeked out a win against the New York Knicks, 96-93, in front of a packed Boston Garden on April 19. Coach Doc Rivers said, "we were lucky to win" when asked in postgame interviews. The win came on a go-ahead basket from Kevin Garnett with about 14 seconds left in the game. Garnett would then make the key defensive play 10 seconds later, diving on the floor to steal the ball from Knicks center Jared Jefferies to clinch the win.

The Knicks, playing without starting point guard Chauncey Billups, withstood a first-half point guard clinic by Rajon Rondo to keep the game close and go into halftime with a lead. Rondo, who had 14 points in the first quarter, finished the game with 30 points, a career playoff high for the All-Star point guard.

Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony also had a career night, matching his playoff high for points with 42. Anthony also pulled down 17 rebounds and six assists while playing tenacious defense on the Celtics Paul Pierce, who struggled from the field, ending the night with 20 points on 8-for-18 shooting.

Amar'e Stoudemire finished the night on the bench alongside Billups due to back spasms that began bothering him late in the first half. Toney Douglas, who replaced Billups in the starting lineup, had 14 points. Stoudemire's replacement, Jeffries, ended the night with 10 points and the critical turnover for the Knicks.

Anthony was criticized slightly after Game 1 for taking a long three while double teamed. He chose to pass the ball this time to Jeffries, who turned the ball over after receiving Anthony's pass with 8 seconds left in the game. When asked about Anthony's decision, coach Mike D'Antoni said Anthony made the right play.

The Knicks will now return to Madison Square Garden down 0-2 in the series but with plenty of reason to believe they can extend this series past four games.

"The Celtics didn't do anything special," Anthony said. "They won two games on their home court. Now, it's our turn to go to our home court and try to do the same thing."

And return they shall, April 22, to the cheers of a crazed New York crowd who would love nothing more than to send the Celtics back home tied 2-2.

Playoff Preview -Round 1: Celtics vs. Knicks

Rivalry.

Paul Pierce swears there isn't one between the Celtics and Knicks. At least not in this decade. There are millions of Knick fans that would argue the opposite. Maybe the Celtics look at the Knicks as lesser mortals, but the Knicks definitely see Boston as a stone-cold enemy. If you don't believe me, look at their battles this year. Bloody, beaten ragged and scathed could describe both teams after each game in the regular season.

That's what we have to look forward to: a war, no prisoners. Both teams dislike each other; both teams want to win. Don't let Boston fans fool you when they say this isn't a big game and this series won't impact them. Boston is scared. They come into the series limping, and it's possible this isn't a limp that can be miraculously healed by a wheelchair ride back into the locker room. Even if the Celtics have what it takes to win this series, they will not come out unscathed.

The physical nature of these teams may take its toll on the winner. Boston is older and has been slightly injury-prone this year with the likes of Jermaine O'Neal and Shaquille O'Neal taking the brunt of those injuries. This series is sure to issue a few more.

Boston is the odds-on favorite to win, and they have to win, it's expected of them. They have to prove they were more than a flash in the pan this year. The Knicks, well, they are playing with house money. Not even expected to make the playoffs, they have exceeded the hopes of fans and the front office. The Knicks simply have nothing to lose, and they have the egos to think they could pull this off.

The Knicks just don't have enough fire power to win this series. As a team, they have a lot of questions left to be answered. Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire have not figured out how to play well together at the same time. Chauncy Billups has been almost nonexistent the past 10 games and will need to be far more productive if New York has any chance to win. Landry Fields has the potential to be an offensive spark and the X factor for the Knicks while Melo will look to up his defensive prowess as he has in previous playoff series. That's where the compliments for the Knicks end.

Boston has New York outgunned at every starting position, except perhaps small forward. But as much as Paul Pierce will have trouble stopping Anthony's scoring binges, Pierce is just as much of an offensive tyrant. Rajon Rondo is too young, fast and brilliant to let Billups slow him down, Kevin Garnett and Stoudemire will  likely be a wash, which leaves the deciding factor as Ray Allen, the 3-point shooting king. As long as Allen stays productive, the Knicks will have fits closing out on the Celtics.

Boston will win this series in six games. That really isn't the question of the series. The bumps, brusies and wounds they're going to receive are. They will have to do their best to minimize those because they'll be looking at a quick turnaround to play the Miami Heat, who seem to be chomping at the bit to take down the Eastern Conference champions, something that should have Boston fans worried if their last game together was any indication of the future.

The best way to look at the Knicks in this series is not as a Cinderella, rather as meat tenderizer for the Miami Heat.

And that's what a rival is. Because if they can't beat you, they will surely try to make it easier for someone else.