New York faces Boston, seeks to break 5-game skid
Boston Celtics (13-5, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (4-15, 14th in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Sunday, 3 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: New York aims to stop its five-game skid when the Knicks take on Boston.
The Knicks have gone 2-12 against Eastern Conference teams. New York averages 45.1 rebounds per game and is 0-10 when outrebounded by opponents.
The Celtics are 8-2 in conference play. Boston has a 12-2 record when scoring 100 or more points.
The two teams matchup for the third time this season. The Celtics defeated the Knicks 104-102 in their last matchup on Nov. 1. Kemba Walker led Boston with 33 points, and Marcus Morris Sr. paced New York scoring 29 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 16.7 points and 9.0 rebounds for the Knicks. RJ Barrett is shooting 38.6 percent and averaging 10.9 points over the last 10 games for New York.
Jayson Tatum is averaging 20.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown has averaged 16.4 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 48.0 percent over the last 10 games for Boston.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 6-4, averaging 92.5 points, 39.6 rebounds, 21.3 assists, eight steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.0 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 90 points on 44.7 percent shooting.
Knicks: 2-8, averaging 86.4 points, 38.3 rebounds, 18.1 assists, 6.9 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 43.2 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 91.5 points on 44.6 percent shooting.
Knicks Injuries: Reggie Bullock: out (cervical disc herniation), Dennis Smith Jr.: day to day (left quadricep), Elfrid Payton: out (hamstring), Marcus Morris: day to day (neck).
Celtics Injuries: Gordon Hayward: out (left hand).
