The Celtics have already beaten the Knicks twice this season, but this time will be a little different.
Paul Pierce has been going up against Carmelo Anthony for eight long years, but on Monday night, he'll get his first taste of taking on Melo at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are 7-8 since adding Melo at the trade deadline last month, and this will be their first post-trade meeting with the Celtics.
Last time the C's faced the Knicks, on Dec. 15, Pierce made a game-winning jump shot over Amare Stoudemire and walked away with a 118-116 victory. This time, he'll have to deal with the Knicks' Big Three of Amare, 'Melo and Chauncey Billups.
The other interesting matchup will be at center — this is Nenad Krstic's first game against the Knicks in Celtic green, and starting against him will be Ronny Turiaf. Former Celtic forward Shelden Williams will come off the bench behind Turiaf.
Here's the lineup card for C's-Knicks:
Celtics
Rajon Rondo, PG
Ray Allen, SG
Paul Pierce, SF
Kevin Garnett, PF
Nenad Krstic, C
Knicks
Chauncey Billups, PG
Landry Fields, SG
Carmelo Anthony, SF
Amare Stoudemire, PF
Ronny Turiaf, C
