• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Without Garnett, Celtics host Knicks

Nov 18, 2008 - 2:11 PM New York (6-4) at Boston (9-2) 7:30 p.m. EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The defending NBA champions have picked up right where they left off last season, thanks in part to 2007-08 Defensive Player of the Year, Kevin Garnett.

The Boston Celtics defense will be put to the test Tuesday when they welcome the NBA's highest scoring team, the New York Knicks, with Garnett out of the lineup.

Garnett was suspended one game by the league after hitting Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut in the face during the Celtics' 102-97, overtime victory over the Bucks on Saturday.

Paul Pierce has led the Celtics offensively early on this season with 21 points a game, and had a quality all-around game last time out against Milwaukee. He had 28 points, knocking down 14-of-15 from the free throw line, to go along with seven rebounds and six assists.

An 11-time All-Star, Garnett is averaging nearly a double-double a game with 16.4 points and 9.8 rebounds. His presence in the paint has helped Boston to become the Eastern Conference's stingiest defense, allowing just 89.7 points a game.

The absence of Garnett should play right into the hands of the Knicks, who average an NBA-high 105.7 points a game.

First-year coach Mike D'Antoni has brought over his prolific offensive system from Phoenix and it has already translated to success, especially for forward Zach Randolph. The 6-9 big man has double-doubles in eight straight games, averaging 20.8 points and 12.9 rebounds a game this season.

However, just like in Phoenix, D'Antoni's squad is having trouble keeping its opponents off the board, allowing 105.5 points a game, which is also a league-high.

Dallas dropped 124 points on New York on Sunday, outscoring the Knicks 12-2 in overtime en route to a 10-point victory.