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New York Knicks (15-36) at Boston Celtics (39-9)
Wednesday, February 13
7:30 PM ET
Game #50, Home Game # 27
TV: NBA LP ch 756, CSNHD, MSG
Sirius 140
TD Banknorth Garden
Probable Starters
Rajon Rondo/Ray Allen/Paul Pierce/Brian Scalabrine/Glen Davis
Off the Bench
James Posey, Eddie House, Scot Pollard, Leon Powe, Tony Allen, Gabe Pruitt
Injuries
Kevin Garnett, ab strain, out
Kendrick Perkins, shoulder, day to day
Scot Pollard, ankle, day to day
Probable Starters
Fred Jones/Jamaal Crawford/Quenton Richardson/Zach Randolph/Eddy Curry
Off the Bench
Renaldo Balkman, Jared Jeffries, David Lee, Malik Rose, Jerome James, Mardy Collins
Injuries
Stephon Marbury, Bone Spurs, out
Nate Robinson, respiratory infection, day to day
Key Matchups
vs 
In the last game between these two teams, Paul Pierce and Quetin Richardson both were ejected for trash talking. The games between these two teams have always been chippy and there is no love lost between Pierce and QRich. Pierce will need to concentrate on his play in this game and forget about the trash talk.
vs 
Perk usually plays Eddie Curry very well. If he is still out, expect Big Baby to get the nod against Curry in this game. He has more bulk than Powe and that will be needed to keep Curry away from the basket.
Honorable Mention
Power Forward. Scal is no match for Zach Randolph. If Doc insists on starting Scal, expect Leon to make an early entrance to keep Zach in check.
Keys to the Game
No Let Up It is the last game before the All Star Break. The Celtics are playing short handed. They have already beaten this team twice and the Knicks are easy to take for granted. But, the Celtics need to come in and play hard from start to finish or the Knicks may take advantage of the let down and get a win.
Crash the Boards Randolph and Curry are tough inside and the Celtics ae going to need to work to get rebounds and limit the Knicks second chance points. Rondo has been rebounding incredibly well lately and that has given the Celtics a boost.
Defense The Celtics have been successful with KG and Perk out mainly because they continue to play tough team defense and they will need to continue that in this game as well. Especially when they are short handed, they have to make the commitment to defend both inside and on the perimeter.
Game Notes
This is the third meeting between these two teams this season. The Celtics have won both games including a 104-59 embarrassment in Boston back in November. The Knicks are 2-8 in their last 10 games but are coming off a 1 point win over the Bucks. The Celtics are 10-1 in the division while the Knicks are 4-5 in the division. The Celtics have a 4 game win streak over the Knicks.
X-Factor
Fatigue vs Rustiness The Knicks have been off since Saturday and the Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games. The Celtics are short handed and so will be tired. The Knicks will be well rested, but sometimes with that long between games, teams come out rusty.
