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Knicks eye upset of Celtics in home finale

Apr 14, 2008 - 2:19 PM Boston (64-16) at New York (23-57) 7:30 pm EDT

NEW YORK (Ticker) - While the Boston Celtics envision their first NBA title run in 23 seasons, the most notable thing the New York Knicks may be playing for is their coach's job.

The Knicks complete their home schedule on Monday when they host the Celtics at Madison Square Garden.

While Boston has held the league's best record for most of the season, New York finds itself only ahead of last-place Miami in the Eastern Conference. With Donnie Walsh assuming coach Isiah Thomas' role as Knicks president of basketball operations earlier this month, speculation is rampant that Thomas may be coaching his final home game.

Thomas is just 56-106 in two seasons as coach, further embarrassing the once-proud organization that has not had a winning record or won a playoff game since he joined the organization in 2003.

The Knicks saw their three-game winning streak come to an end in Friday's 116-104 setback against the Atlanta Hawks. New York needs one more win to avoid tying the franchise record of 59 losses, which was set the during the 2005-06 campaign - the season before Thomas was named the coach.

Boston won for the ninth time in 10 games on Saturday when Sam Cassell came alive with 15 fourth-quarter points to spark a 99-89 win over possible first-round playoff opponent Atlanta. The Celtics have continued to win despite giving limited minutes to their "Big Three" of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce down the stretch.

Only Allen has played more than 30 minutes more than once over the last five contests.