Ready to unload your hate for New York? You won't be able to fully do that until Sunday, when the Patriots face the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, but in the meantime, you can watch the Celtics host the Knicks on Friday at TD Garden.
Boston and New York will get their fan bases revved up for the big game on Sunday with a little game of their two days before at 8:00 p.m. EDT (TV/Radio: ESPN, CSNNE/WEEI) in their second meeting of the season.
Hopefully, it will be a much better outcome for the Celtics this time around. In the season opener on Christmas Day, Boston fell two points short, 106-104, against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Carmelo Anthony stole the show, totaling 37 points and eight rebounds to lead New York, which shot 47.3 percent from the floor.
Rajon Rondo, who is currently recovering from a right wrist injury and is a game-time decision for Friday's contest, had a season-high 31 points, 13 assists and five steals for Boston, which shot 51.3 percent. Ray Allen score 20 and Brandon Bass added 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Kevin Garnett finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.
The Celtics and Knicks met a total of eight times last season, with four regular season games and four postseason tilts. Boston dominated New York thoroughly, sweeping both the regular season series and the first round postseason series.
Boston is coming off a 36-point routing of the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Paul Pierce, who missed the season-opening loss against New York, led the Celtics with 17 points and and eight assists while Ray Allen and Brandon Bass scored 12 and both Avery Bradley and JaJuan Johnson added 11 points for Boston.
Meanwhile, the Knicks were bested by the Chicago Bulls, 105-102, on Thursday. Amar'e Stoudemire had 34 points and 11 rebounds while Anthony racked up 26 points and six boards as the Knicks shot 48.9 percent. Landry Fields scored 17, Iman Shumpert had 10 points and eight assists and Tyson Chandler had nine points and eight rebounds.
After this game, Boston will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Super Bowl Sunday.
For more Celtics and Knicks coverage, visit CelticsBlog and Posting And Toasting.