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.

Ray Allen: Pure As It Gets

"Jesus," I exclaim. The name itself carries double meaning here, but we'll get to that later.

"Will someone guard him already?" My frustration is building.

"You can't leave that guy open. Anyone but him!"

Not that it would matter if the defender actually closed out on him. It wouldn't be enough to phase him anyhow. A few more minutes pass by, another blown defensive assignment, an expletive from my mouth. But that doesn't change the outcome. The net makes a sound. If its your guy, it's one as smooth as Sinatra. If it's not, well, it's nauseating.

It's June 7, 2010 and Ray Allen's evisceration of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the 2010 playoffs isn't nearly finished. Allen is composing a masterpiece, like he has so many times before. This one will start out to the key of seven straight 3-pointers. It will end in a striking crescendo, 11-of-20 shooting, including 8-of-11 from beyond the three-point arc to set the all-time playoff finals record for most 3-pointers in a game. A total of 32 points on the way to a Celtics' 103-94 Game 2 victory, in a word, is perfect.

Jesus, there is that name again. A name whose story and symbolism are well known throughout the world. A perfect man dying for the sins of the imperfect men that surround him, a savior for the masses. It's fair to say it's a name that carries some weight and culpability. So on the eve of a game where the opportunity to break one of the NBA's most prestigious and oft-thought unattainable records -- most 3-pointers made all-time -- it's only fitting the man poised to break it carry the nickname of Jesus. The burden that comes with the name might not be the same, but one of its qualities -- perfection -- is.

Ray Allen's game is just that, perfect, or at least the closest thing to it on a basketball court. To watch it is to watch pure grace. The way he comes of a screen, planting his feet, catching the ball, and releasing it all in one motion, it's majestic, the product of countless hours of tedious work, repetition and correction. His form has long been considered by coaches, peers and admirers to be the gold standard, a gleaming example of excellence. Even the man poised to become his predecessor has gawked at Allen's game. But there is more to Ray Allen's game than his jumper.

Over a 15-year NBA career, Allen posted an impressive basketball resume. He was the fifth pick overall in the 1996 NBA draft, an All-Rookie second team selection, an Olympic gold medalist (2000), All-NBA third team selection and NBA 3-point shootout champion (2001), NBA Sportsmanship Award winner (2003), All-NBA second team selection (2005), 10-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion (2008).

Allen has made a career out of taking the correct shot, not pushing or forcing it, making sure to try and shoot his team into games, not out of them. He has made a career of rubbing off screens or coming off the dribble for a three. It's this style of play that garnered Allen numerous NBA shooting records, some of which won't be touched for years, if ever.


Regular Season
- Seasons leading the league in three-point field goals made: 3 (2001-'02, '02-'03, '05-'06)
- Consecutive seasons leading the league in three-point field goals made: 2 ('01-'02, '02-'03)
- Three-point field goals made in a season: 269 ('05-'06)
The previous record was held by Dennis Scott at 267. 
- Three-point field goals made in a half: 8 (second half when with the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Hornets, April 14, 2002)

Playoffs
- Three-point field goals made in a seven-game series: 28 (for Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 2001 Conference Finals)
- Three-point field goals made in a game: 9 (for Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers,  June 1, 2001; tied when with Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls, April 30, 2009 (3 OT))
- Three-point field goal attempts in a game: 18 (for Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls, April 30, 2009 (3 OT))

Finals
- Three-point field goals made in a six-game series: 22 (for Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 2008 NBA Finals)
- Three-point field goals made in a game: 8 (for Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers, June 6, 2010)
- Three-point field goals made in a half: 7 (first half for Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers, June 6, 2010)
- Three-point field goals made in a quarter: 5 (second quarter for Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers, June 6, 2010)
- Three-point field goal attempts in a six-game series: 42 (for Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 2008 NBA Finals)

His career stats are a testimate to his consistency through training and practice. Practice which got him to fourth in the league all-time in free throw percentage; 11th all-time in 3-point shooting percentage at 39.8 percent, a number that could increase this year with Allen on a terror from beyond the arc, currently shooting 46 percent through Feb. 10. But most importantly, it has him poised to enter the record books by attaining the all-time 3-pointers made record tonight. It's a record hallowed by many, a record that represents the hard work, dedication and attention to detail that can't be attained through simple pure athletic talent.

When Allen enters the Garden tonight, he will enter it two 3-pointers away from passing Reggie Miller, whose current mark of 2,560 was long considered unattainable. To make the achievement more unique, Allen will be facing the Celtics longtime rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, a fitting opponent for such a momentous occasion. There is no doubt his teammates, fans, friends and family would love to see him break this record while in the midst of such a storied rivalry. Even if you're a Laker fan, you have to tip your hat to the man who would be king.

So tune in. Witness. There is history to be made tonight. Watch as The Garden applauds him, his effort, his tenacity in a standing ovation to one of its icons, its legends. Enjoy this perfect moment because chances are we may never see this record broken again. Once Allen breaks it, he will own it like no other has. He will have the opportunity to increase it. He will set the standard for all that come after him in this league, a standard of perfection. A standard that could only be attained by one man.

I'll watch tonight, just like the rest of the league, like the man who is about to watch his record be surpassed. I'll hold my breath just like everyone in attendance every time a 3-pointer is launched. And when the net finally makes that smooth sound for the second time tonight, there will only one word that leaves my lips, "Jesus."

I'll say it with a smile, happy I had a chance to witness.