When the Knicks visit the TD Garden on Wednesday night, the Celtics will see their old friend Eddie House on the opposing bench. The C's are seeking their second straight win after a rampage of the visiting Pistons on Monday night. The Knicks make their last stop in Boston at the end of a five-game road swing.
When and Where
Wednesday, March 17, 7:30 p.m. ET (CSNE)
TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
Records
Celtics (42-24, first place in Atlantic Division, fourth in Eastern Conference)
Knicks (24-43, third place in Atlantic Division, 10th in Eastern Conference)
Head to Head
This is the third of Boston's four meetings with New York this season, and its final tilt at the TD Garden. The C's are 2-0 against the Knicks so far this season, but both games have been close. They won the first in overtime at Madison Square Garden, 107-105 on a buzzer-beating jumper from Kevin Garnett, and they beat the Knicks in Boston 110-106 with an outstanding defensive effort in the fourth quarter. Over the last six years, the Celtics have won 19 of their last 23 games against the Knicks.
Skinny
Only in the Atlantic Division can you be 19 games under .500 and somehow pass for a third-place team. The Knicks have won back-to-back games all of a sudden, including a shocking blowout win over the surging Mavericks, a powerhouse out West. They've now passed the Sixers and vaulted into third in the Atlantic behind Boston and Toronto — but of course, they've still got no shot at being a playoff team this season, even in the East. No matter how much Tracy McGrady helps these Knicks, they're still bound for the draft lottery this spring.
Starting Lineups
Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins
Knicks
Point guard: Toney Douglas
Shooting guard: Tracy McGrady
Small forward: Danilo Gallinari
Power forward: Wilson Chandler
Center: David Lee
Stat Sheet
Celtics
The Celtics are 20-12 at home. Among the East's top eight teams, they're tied with the Miami Heat (20-15) for fewest home wins.
The Celtics are shooting 74.1 percent from the free-throw line this season, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA.
Paul Pierce is shooting 44.0 percent from 3-point range this season, fifth-best in the NBA and a career high by far.
Kendrick Perkins is shooting 60.8 percent from the field. Dwight Howard of the Magic (61.1 percent) has overtaken him for the NBA lead.
Rajon Rondo had four steals against the Pistons on Monday night. His NBA-leading season total is now at 156.
Ray Allen is 17-for-18 from the free-throw line in March.
Kevin Garnett has averaged 18.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game against the Knicks in his career.
Knicks
The Knicks are 4-8 this season within their own division.
They have attempted 1,724 3-point field goals this season. Only the Orlando Magic (1.856) have taken more.
David Lee has 787 total rebounds this season, second-most in the NBA. Dwight Howard has 899.
Danilo Gallinari has made 150 3's, second in the league behind the Rockets' Aaron Brooks.
Chris Duhon leads the Knicks with 6.1 assists per game. He averages only 1.7 turnovers.
Tracy McGrady is averaging 11.3 points and 4.3 assists per game through 13 games in a Knicks uniform.
Eddie House has averaged 7.8 points per game on 28.6 percent 3-point shooting against the Celtics in his career.
Black and Blue
Celtics
The Celtics continue the run of perfect health they've sustained throughout March.
Knicks
Eddy Curry, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee earlier this season, made a surprise return to Knicks practice on March 2. He has still yet to play in a game, though.
This Date in Celtics History
In 1963, Boston legend Bob Cousy plays his final regular-season game in a Celtics uniform. The Celtics beat the Syracuse Nationals, 125-116, at the Boston Garden, closing out their season on a four-game winning streak. They go on to beat the Lakers in the Finals that spring, as Cousy earns the sixth and final championship ring of his career.
Overheard
"We obviously are really working to try to re-establish [Pierce]. And like I said before the game, it's coming around. It's still not there, but I mean, that was great to see. He looked explosive. So those are the signs I keep seeing that I think he's getting closer, and our team's getting closer."
–Doc Rivers, on Paul Pierce's 12-point scoring spree that buried the Detroit Pistons in the first quarter of Monday night's game
Press Box
Celtics
Paul Pierce sets the tone for this team.
Tony Allen hopes his time will come.
The Celtics struggle against quality teams.
Knicks
The Knicks won another one on the road.
Eddy Curry is still struggling to come back.
Toney Douglas makes the most of the opportunities he's given.
NBA
Manu Ginobili powered the Spurs past the Heat.
It's another triple-double for LeBron James.
Chris Bosh raises questions about the Raptors.
Outlook
The Celtics have been working this month to establish the TD Garden as a place where they can feel comfortable, a place where they can consistently take care of business. Beating the Knicks here for the second time this season would be a good step in the right direction. Each win at the Garden from here on out will give the Celtics added confidence going into the playoffs.
