Celtics Aim to Stay Hot as Knicks Face Uphill Battle in Boston

The Boston Celtics are firing on all cylinders, and the New York Knicks will have their hands full trying to slow them down. Boston, winners of four straight, looks to extend its streak to five when it hosts New York on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Knicks are coming off a brutal 142-105 loss to Cleveland, their worst defensive outing of the season. Can they regroup in time to challenge the high-scoring Celtics?

Boston’s Dominance Continues

The Celtics crushed Philadelphia 124-104 in their first game after the All-Star break, marking their 15th win by 20+ points this season.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla believes the team is just scratching the surface of its potential.

“It just says what we’re capable of when we’re at our best,” Mazzulla said. “We gotta fight to stay that way.”

Tatum Leads the Charge

Jayson Tatum recorded a triple-double (15 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) against Philly, proving once again why he’s among the NBA’s elite. He ranks seventh in the league in scoring (26.8 PPG) and remains Boston’s go-to star in crunch time.

Veteran Al Horford emphasized the team’s focus post-break:

“Guys came in pretty determined,” Horford said. “Starters, second unit, we just tried to play with pace and the way Joe wants us to play.”

Knicks Searching for Answers

Friday’s blowout loss to Cleveland exposed some major concerns for New York, especially on the defensive end.

“You can’t allow anything to break you,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You got to have the mental toughness to get through things.”

Injury Woes Continue

Josh Hart (knee) missed his second straight game, and his absence was felt on both ends. He’s been a key contributor, averaging 14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists.
OG Anunoby returned after missing five games but appeared to aggravate his foot injury in the third quarter.

Jalen Brunson emphasized Hart’s importance but made it clear the team can’t make excuses.

“He’s the heart of our team,” Brunson said. “But we can’t just chalk it up as a loss if he’s out.”

Boston Has Owned the Knicks This Seaso

New York has struggled against the league’s elite, going 0-6 against the NBA’s top three teams (Boston, Cleveland, and OKC). They’re also 0-2 vs. the Celtics this season, losing 132-109 on opening night and 131-104 on Feb. 8.

Playing on the road with a short turnaround won’t make things easier.

“That’s part of this league,” Thibodeau said. “You have to be ready to play.”

Can the Knicks Keep Up?

With Boston rolling and New York struggling, the Knicks will need a near-perfect performance to have a shot at an upset. Can they flip the script, or will the Celtics’ offensive firepower be too much to handle?

We’ll find out Sunday.

Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions February 23rd 2025