Celtics Not Underestimating Knicks Despite Regular Season Sweep
The Boston Celtics completed the gentleman’s sweep over the Orlando Magic in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.
They will meet the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals beginning May 5 at TD Garden.
Except for their overtime win against New York on April 8, Boston made easy work of the Knicks, sweeping the regular season series, 4-0. Even though the Celtics instilled their dominance over the Knicks in the regular season, Derrick White made it clear the slate has been wiped clean for the postseason.
“I mean, this is the playoffs. So, everything we did in the regular season doesn’t really mean a whole lot now,” White told reporters during a virtual media availability on Friday. “It’s not like we get to start up 1-0 or something like that. Understand, it’s the playoffs. They’re here for a reason. They’re a really good team, and they’re going to be a big challenge.”
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is also not looking past the Knicks, who are led by All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and boast an intimidating top six, rounded out by All-Defensive Teamers OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, plus gritty two-way wing Josh Hart, as the remaining starters, and sixth man center Mitchell Robinson.
“Obviously, a great coach. Great depth. Great team,” Mazzulla told reporters during a virtual media availability on Friday. “… It’ll be a physical series, it’ll come down to the margins. You have to be able to defend without fouling, rebound, take care of the ball, execute, and be able to get to different stuff defensively because of their ability to put pressure on the rim and get great shots.”
Mazzulla added: “Right now the series is 0-0. It’s two good teams getting ready to play, and we have to be able to execute at a high, high level all the things that are in the process of winning.”
The Celtics are 8-7 all-time against the Knicks in the playoffs. However, New York won their last meeting, 4-2, in the first round of the 2013 postseason. It’s also the third consecutive playoffs that the Knicks have advanced to the conference semifinals.