Final
Knicks and Celtics meet in playoff preview
Apr 13, 2011 - 3:05 PM (Sports Network) - The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics will renew their rivalry tonight in the regular season finale at TD Garden before squaring off again in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.The Celtics settled with the No. 3 seed in the East and the Knicks turned it on late to lock up the conference's sixth slot. The Celtics have won the first three meetings with New York this season, seven of eight and 15 of the past 17 matchups between the Atlantic Division foes.
"It's kind of funny we have to play them in the last game and then come right back and play them again," Knicks reserve guard Toney Douglas said about playing Boston on Wednesday. "I'm pretty sure we have to approach that game like we approach every game."
New York is winless in eight straight and 15 of 19 trips to Beantown and had a seven-game overall winning streak erased with Tuesday's 103-90 setback to the top-seeded Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points and Bill Walker added 18 for the Knicks, who received 13 points from Douglas and had a four-game home winning streak stopped.
The Knicks are unbeaten in three straight road games and sport a 19-21 ledger as the visitor this season. Knicks power forward Amare Stoudemire missed his third straight game because of a sprained left ankle suffered in a win at Philadelphia last week. He, along with many other players from both sides, will most likely rest again Wednesday.
Boston, meanwhile, has lost two in a row since prevailing in three of four contests and will shoot for a fourth straight home win Wednesday. It is a solid 32-8 as the host this season.
The Celtics are coming off Monday's improbable 95-94 overtime loss in Washington, as Jeff Green and Glen Davis both finished with 20 points. The Celtics rested four of their key players for the upcoming playoff run as Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce all sat.
"The playoffs are a different level," Green said. "Every game counts and we just have to continue to move forward."
Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal (calf) and guard Delonte West (ankle) are both doubtful for this evening's game.
Boston is in the postseason for a fourth straight year and New York will be making its first playoff appearance since the 2003-04 campaign.
- NEW YORK: 102
BOSTON: 112
Final
Apr 13 10:17 PM - NEW YORK: 57
BOSTON: 61
Halftime
Apr 13 9:06 PM - NEW YORK: 28
BOSTON: 27
End of 1st
Apr 13 8:37 PM - NEW YORK: 0
BOSTON: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Apr 13 8:12 PM
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