Celtics, Knicks Prepare for Potential Playoff Clash

The Boston Celtics are set to face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, with both teams positioned as top contenders in the Eastern Conference. However, the Celtics are dealing with a significant injury report, including Al Horford ruled out and other stars like Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday listed as questionable, potentially leading Payton Pritchard to take on a larger scoring role. Recent performances have seen the Celtics winning 16 of their last 18 games, showcasing their depth and star power, while the Knicks, coming off a win against Phoenix, are looking to solidify their playoff position. With the Celtics aiming for a sweep of the season series and having won previous matchups by an average margin of 21 points, they enter the game as a strong favorite. Despite injuries, Boston has been performing well against the spread, winning 7 of their last 9 games, while the Knicks have also shown resilience with solid recent performances. The match is anticipated to be competitive, serving as a barometer for both teams as they head into the postseason.