Knicks Execute Game Plan and Defeat Celtics at Madison Square Garden

Knicks Head Coach Mike D'Antoni's pre-game comments before the team's game against the Boston Celtics in Madison Square Garden last night proved prophetic. Asked in the locker room prior to the the third match-up between the traditional Atlantic Division rivals how the Knicks could beat the reigning champs, D'Antoni simply stated that if the Knicks matched or surpassed the energy of their opponents they would have a legitimate shot at defeating them-- and the Knicks did just that. The NBA reigning champions did not come out to start the game with their characteristic defensive energy and focus. Kevin Garnett, the heart of the Celtics defense, picked up two quick fouls and had to head to the bench early, while Jarred Jeffries hounded Celtic point guard Rajon Rondo from the start and rattled the third year starter. Athough the Celtics had no answer for the hot hand of Paul Pierce, who seemed to score whenever he set his mind to it, the Celtics success these days does not depend on a huge scoring contribution from Pierce. Pierce scored a bunch of points last night, but the rest of the Celtics were contained and made to look ineffective by some uncharacteristically tough Knickerbocker defense.

The overall Knicks strategy, which they executed to perfection, seemed to have three main goals: stop Rondo's dribble penetration and pick-n-roll set-ups with Garnett, forcing Rondo into the role of spot-up shooter; play aggressive, disruptive help defense to deny the Celtics second and third shot opportunities; lastly, they needed to move the ball and shoot the ball well, and Al Harrington and Wilson Chandler did just that, with both of them scoring an unlikely 30 plus points against the formidable Celtic defense.

No doubt this was a great win for the Knicks. Not only did it stop a losing streak which saw several great games ending in defeat against West Coast powerhouses, but it comes at a time when the Knicks have to head back out on the road and try once again to get a few victories away from Madison Square Garden. The win over the Celtics last night is a confidence booster, but now we need to see whether they can build on the victory and carry some of that aggressive defense and confidence into their upcoming away games.






Photo Credit: AP Photo/Kathy Willens ©2009 All Rights Reserved

Tags:   atlantic division, boston celtics, defeat, defense, kevin garnett, madison square garden, mike dantoni, new york knicks, paul pierce, rajon rondo

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Posted on 1/5/2009 ( Permanent Link )
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