Game 25 Preview: Knicks at Celtics

Brandon Bass and the Celtics will look to defeat Carmelo Anthony and the
Knicks tonight for the second time this week.

The Boston Celtics (10-14) will look to get back on track tonight as they welcome the New York Knicks (6-15) to town.

As many may recall, the Celtics obliterated the Knicks on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden, 114-73. New York is coming off an 83-78 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.

The Knicks will be without starting point guard Raymon Felton, who is sidelined for the next two to three weeks with a hamstring strain. They're still without Tyson Chandler, who remains sidelined with after fracturing his right fibula. Starting shooting guard Iman Shumpert, who suffered a left knee bruise during Wednesday's game, is a game-time decision.

On the other side, the C's are coming off consecutive losses to the Nets and Clippers respectively. Rookie forward Kelly Olynyk is a game-time decision with a right ankle sprain.


Projected lineups:

Knicks:
Pablo Prigioni
Iman Shumpert*
Carmelo Anthony
Andrea Bargnani
Kenyon Martin

Celtics:
Avery Bradley
Jordan Crawford
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Jared Sullinger

Keys to the game:

1. Get the offense back on track: During their three-game winning streak prior to their two losses this week, the Celtics shot 51.8% and averaged 109.3 points per game. In their last two losses, they shot 42.6% and averaged 92 points per contest.

2. Handle Amar'e: Amar'e Stoudemire gives the Knicks another weapon. As the season has gone along, he has slowly gotten better, gotten more minutes, and become more comfortable. He's been hot of late, averaging 15.3 points on 68% shooting, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in an average of 26 minutes a night. The Celtics need to find an answer for him tonight.