Pine Brothers
"Boston is deeper, more talented, more playoff-tested and far superior defensively. If the Celtics are sharp, they should win the series in five games.
The Celtics still have four-fifths of the lineup that won the 2007-8 title, and all of them are All-Stars. They have two former All-Stars rotating at center: Jermaine O’Neal and Shaquille O’Neal. And they again have a deep and playoff-seasoned bench, featuring Glen Davis, Delonte West, Carlos Arroyo, Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic.
The Knicks — chasing the dream of their own Big Three — acquired Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups in February and attached them to Amar’e Stoudemire. But they have played just 18 games together and have none of the advantages that the Celtics’ stars enjoy. The Knicks’ chemistry is iffy. And they simply lack talent beyond their superstar core.
The Knicks have two starters, Ronny Turiaf and Landry Fields, who should be bench players. Their bench has just one reliable performer, Toney Douglas. Their reserve big men, Jared Jeffries and Shelden Williams, would not make the rotation for most playoff teams.
The lack of depth leaves the Knicks vulnerable to foul trouble and slumps by their stars."
- Howard Beck, NYT
Toney Douglas averaged 7.5 points on 35.7 percent shooting from the field and 29.4 percent from three as the Knicks went 0-4 against the Celtics. That's including his first game against Boston Oct. 29, the Knicks' second game of the season. In that contest, Douglas played well, scoring 12 points on 4-of-8 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point land.
"Toney's key. Toney has always been key," D'Antoni said. "We're a little bit of a barometer of his game."
- Mark Hale
We need Toney Douglas to get hot.