Game 47 Preview: Celtics at Knicks

Jeff Green needs to get back on track for the Celtics to get off the schneid.

So now that Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce return has come and gone, it's time to move forward.

Tonight, the Celtics (15-32) will look to do just that against the New York Knicks (17-27).

The Knicks have won two straight and are in the midst of an eight-game homestand. Carmelo Anthony has almost singlehandedly won the past two games for the Knicks, scoring 62 (a career-high) and 35 points respectively.

The Celtics have won the first two games of the season series with the Knicks. In their last meeting at Madison Square Garden, the Celtics defeated the Knicks by a final of 114-73.

Head coach Brad Stevens told reporters at this morning's shootaround that guard Jerryd Bayless will be available for tonight's game after missing the last four games with a toe injury.

Projected lineups:

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Gerald Wallace
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Jared Sullinger

Knicks:
Raymond Felton
Pablo Prigioni
Iman Shumpert
Carmelo Anthony
Tyson Chandler

Keys to the game:

1. Contain Felton: Raymond Felton could play a major role in the outcome of this one. When he scores at least 13 points, the Knicks are 8-3. When he doesn't, they're 4-13. Rajon Rondo will most likely draw the assignment of covering Felton, and it's up to him to limit Felton's effectiveness.

2. Don't let Melo go off: Carmelo Anthony has gone off lately. However, when he sees green, he shrinks. In two matchups against the Celtics this season, Anthony is shooting only 36%. Anthony will certainly take a lot of shots, but the Celtics must make those shots as difficult as possible.