Knicks Look to Continue Their Hot Start Against the Celtics
The New York Knicks found a successful start to their season without key players in their lineup, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson, during a 119-111 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in front of the home crowd. This Knicks team has taken a new approach with head coach Mike Brown by aiming to shoot more three-pointers and play more guys off the bench. During their win over the Cavs, Brown played 11 of his players by halftime. A completely different approach from what former head coach Tom Thibodeau did with the Knicks team by playing eight or nine guys for most of the regular season. With this new approach, the Knicks look to be in contention to lead the East and make their first NBA Finals in over 50 years. While Jalen Brunson had 23 on the night, O.G. Anunoby proved a point by drilling 24 points along with recording 14 rebounds, two assists, a steal, and three blocks.
For the Boston Celtics, their opening night didn’t go as planned. They found themselves down six points going into halftime, yet found a way to go up 11 by the end of the third. 2024 all-star Tyrese Maxey, the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, V. J. Edgecombe, and undrafted forward Dominick Barlow combined for 34 of the Philadelphia 76ers’ 42 fourth-quarter points and took a one-point win in a 117-116 matchup that definitely was intensified. Edgecombe made two free throws to put the Sixers up three, but went back to the line five seconds later and missed both free throws. This allowed the Celtics to capitalize on an opening night home win, yet Payton Pritchard missed two shots at the end of the game, giving them the tough loss. Edgecombe finished with 34 points, scoring the most points in an NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain did on October 24th, 1959, when he dropped 43.
During the second game of the season for both teams, the Knicks will look to continue their hot start, while the Celtics look to take revenge on a tough home loss at the start of the season. Boston will also look to strike back against New York after the Celtics were eliminated by the Knicks during the Eastern Conference Semifinals. While Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons, and Pritchard will play a part in the Celtics’ offense, the seven-foot Neemias Queta turned heads as he finished Wednesday’s loss with 17 points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes of action. The Knicks will have their collective unit in Brunson, Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns. The continuing story throughout the season will be whether Towns can avoid getting into foul trouble. In New York’s win against Cleveland, the five-time all-star picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter. It’s vital he stays on the floor for most of those big stretches against the Celtics. This rivalry will come to light on Amazon Prime on Friday at 7:30 EST.
