The Boston Celtics are one of four teams currently fighting for the final spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Bobcats are all pushing for the last two spots in the East which is coming down to the wire. The Celtics certainly could get a boost on Friday as they play the New York Knicks, the worst team in the NBA.
Boston is closing in on a playoff spot, just 2 1/2 games out of the race. With three weeks left in the season, getting a game against the Knicks is key. The team has not looked great in recent weeks which might be a cause of worry for fans. They have lost their last four of five games. Most recently the Celtics fell to the Miami Heat in a game where the entire team struggled to score. Evan Turner had been averaging 19.7 points, but only managed four in the loss to the Heat. Avery Bradley added 12 points while shooting 12.8 percent from long range. He had been averaging 18.7 points per game.
The Celtics are hot and cold against the Knicks. They have dropped six of eight against the team including losing the last two. Bradley managed 26 points in that game while Turner added 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Knicks have barely managed wins lately, losing their last five while going 2-8 in their last 10 games. The team simply does not have enough fire point to push through for a win which is causing them to continue to sit at the bottom of the league.
The Knicks are fresh off a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. They fell 111-80 while getting outscored 42-18 in the paint along with 17-0 in transition. It was another struggling performance thanks to the loss of both Carmelo Anthony and Jose Calderon. Players like Langston Galloway and Andrea Bargnani are trying to keep the team afloat. Bargnani was averaging 17.6 points per game over a 12-game stretch, but only got six against the Clippers.
