Knicks face powerful street problem in high-scoring Celtics

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The Boston Celtics can prolong their profitable streak to 5 video games once they face the visiting New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon.

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Boston received seven of eight video games main as much as the NBA All-Star break after which beat the Philadelphia 76ers 124-104 on Thursday night time. It was Boston’s fifteenth victory by a minimum of 20 factors this season.

“It just says what we’re capable of when we’re at our best,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla stated. “We gotta fight to stay that way. That’s who they are. If there’s a group of people that I trust, it’s the guys in the locker room to continue to get better and focus on the things that are important to winning. They’ve been doing that the entire year even when it hasn’t been going our way. We just gotta keep that up, regardless of the result.”

Jayson Tatum had 15 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists throughout the win in opposition to the 76ers. It was the fourth triple-double of his profession. Tatum will enter Sunday’s matchup averaging 26.8 factors per sport, which is seventh greatest within the league.

“It’s encouraging because coming out of the break can be really tough,” Boston’s Al Horford stated. “You’re off for so many days. We’re not together. Guys came in pretty determined. Starters, second unit, we just tried to continue to play with the pace and the way that Joe wants us to play.”

New York is coming off Friday’s 142-105 loss to Cleveland. It was essentially the most factors the Knicks have allowed throughout regulation in any sport this season.

“Just can’t give in, and that’s the biggest thing,” New York coach Tom Thibodeau stated. “You can’t allow anything to break you. You got to have the mental toughness to get through things. And so there’s got to be a lot more resolve, particularly on the road against the team that is this good, you know?”

The Knicks did not have swingman Josh Hart, who missed his second straight sport due to a sore proper knee. Hart is averaging 14.7 factors, 9.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists this season.

“I mean, obviously, he’s no pun intended he’s the heart of our team, really,” New York’s Jalen Brunson stated. “We can’t just say, ‘Oh we don’t have him tonight. Let’s chalk it up as an L.’ That’s not how stuff should go.”

OG Anunoby performed in opposition to Cleveland after lacking New York’s earlier 5 video games due to a sprained foot. Anunoby completed the sport with 5 factors in 27 minutes and appeared to reinjure his foot within the third quarter.

“It’s about what I thought it would be,” Thibodeau stated. “There was some good minutes early. … There’s some rust he’s got to work through, but I thought he had good energy.”

New York has an 0-6 document this season in opposition to the NBA’s prime three groups Cleveland, Oklahoma Metropolis and Boston. The Knicks are 0-2 in opposition to the Celtics, who earned a 132-109 dwelling victory on opening night time, and prevailed 131-104 at New York on Feb. 8.

Thibodeau stated enjoying Sunday afternoon following a Friday night time sport will make the problem of beating Boston on the street even more durable.

“That’s part of this league, and you got to have the toughness to get through those things,” he stated. “That’s what the schedule says, just be ready to play.”

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