NBA Playoffs Live Blog: Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks (4/23/13)

Welcome to HoopsHabit.com’s NBA Playoffs Live Blog of Game 2 of the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks from Madison Square Garden, New York. The tip is scheduled for 5pm Pacific, with the blog starting around 4:30pm.

After a thrilling Game 1 in which the New York Knicks took 85-78, the Boston Celtics will be out to try and get the split, before the series moves to Boston.

The Celtics are known for their gritty, defensive style and this was evident in Game 1 — they held New York to 40.5% shooting from the field. It is just on the offensive end where they struggle, especially without All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo’s creativity in the half-court.

As for the Knicks, they will be looking to fully take control of this series. Carmelo Anthony has never advanced past the first round of the playoffs, and he won’t have a better chance than now. It will be interesting to see if Melo guards Jeff Green in this game, as many believe Green is now the premier scoring threat on this Boston team.

Key to the game: Bench production. The Knicks bench plays very deep. Sixth Man of The Year J.R Smith provides a vital scoring punch from the bench. The Celtics’ bench has been largely disappointing. Jason Terry looks a shadow of his former self, and he was expected to slot in as the replacement for Ray Allen.

Prediction: I think the Knicks will come out with the victory tonight. Their depth from the bench and three-point shooting will be enough to just edge out the Celtics once again. I just can’t see the Knicks shooting 40% again — and Boston’s offense just isn’t designed to keep up with the high-scoring Knickerbockers.

Can the Knicks take a 2-0 lead, or will the C’s get the split and take it back to an emotionally-charged Boston Garden? Tune in at 5pm pacific to find out!