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Celtics Look for Season Sweep Against Struggling Knicks

	VS.
32-44	Record	21-54
98.6	PPG	96.2
99.9	PPGA	102.8
46.7	FG%	45.3
45.7	Opp. FG%	46.7
39.7	Rebounds	41.8
21.1	Assists	17.8
15.8	Turnovers	17.1
6.8	Steals	6.7
5.2	Blocks	3.3
3-0	Season Series	0-3

Things got more interesting over the weekend in the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. With the Celtics beating the Sixers Friday and then the Sixers beating the Bulls in Chicago Saturday night, the Celtics stand just three games behind both teams for the last spot.

A win over the Knicks today would give the Celtics another half game, and they have five remaining games, three of which are at home. It may still be somewhat of a long shot, but stranger things have happened in the NBA.

POINT GUARD
Delonte West Points: 11.9 Rebounds: 4.1 Assists: 4.7	Steve Francis Points: 14.7 Rebounds: 4.3 Assists: 5.0
Steve Francis is looking to put an end to a nightmare season, which seems to be getting even worst by the day. After he struggled in Orlando this season scoring a career low 16.2 PPG, many observers thought the trade would rejuvenate Francis, yet the crowded New York backcourt has only hurt his minutes and scoring (11.4 PPG since the trade). When recently asked to describe his tenure with the Knicks, Francis responded with "It's like a funeral, man. That's what it feels like." Look for West to take full advantage of the disgruntled Francis by continuing to distribute the ball (12 assists Friday night) and show off his smooth outside jumper. With Szczerbiak out for the remainder of the season, West must pickup some of the scoring Wally provided. He has shown the ability to score, but he must continue to look for his own shot.

SHOOTING GUARD
Tony Allen Points: 6.2 Rebounds: 2.0 Assists: 1.0	Jamal Crawford Points: 13.6 Rebounds: 3.1 Assists: 3.5
Jamal Crawford has the potential to have one of the smoothest offensive games in the league. His explosiveness and handle can make defenders look silly, yet his shot selection and defense (or lack there of) has held Crawford back. Allen will play a physical brand of defense against the fragile Crawford, and will have the green light on the offensive end to exploit Crawford's defense. Look for Allen to continue to show the Celtics brass he is finally back, and that he will be a force next season.

SMALL FORWARD
Paul Pierce Points: 26.9 Rebounds: 6.8 Assists: 4.8	Qyntel Woods Points: 6.8 Rebounds: 3.8 Assists: 1.0
Although the Celtics playoff chances are slim, that isn't putting a stop to Pierce capping off a career year. Pierce has been absolutely amazing for Boston this season and with the Szczerbiak injury he will have to carry even more of the load offensively. Woods plays little defense but can be a menace on the offensive end. He can handle the ball and his outside jumper makes him a threat to score from anywhere.

POWER FORWARD
Ryan Gomes Points: 6.9 Rebounds: 4.7 Assists: 0.8	Malik Rose Points: 4.3 Rebounds: 3.4 Assists: 0.8
You can't say enough about the way Ryan Gomes plays. He brings it night in and night out. Gomes doesn't make many mistakes and is always looming around the rim on the offensive end of the floor to grab rebounds and score second-effort points. Gomes needs to take advantage of his minutes because the Celtics are hoping for Al Jefferson to be back for today's game. On the other side, the Knicks thought they would be getting a savvy veteran in Rose but it hasn't worked out well for the undersized power forward. Injuries have forced him into the starting lineup, and Rose is very energetic workhorse, but Gomes should have no problem out-hustling him for some easy buckets.

CENTER
Kendrick Perkins Points: 4.7 Rebounds: 5.9 Assists: 0.9	Eddy Curry Points: 13.9 Rebounds: 6.2 Assists: 0.3
Perkins still isn't getting the minutes he would like since getting back into the starting lineup. He is always working hard and getting on the boards while in the game. He has a tough match-up in Eddy Curry tonight, as Curry usually puts up big numbers against the Celtics. Perkins will try to limit Curry's touches in the paint and keep him off the boards. Curry is averaging 19.5 points and 8 rebounds against the Celtics in two games this season (he barely played in the other game against Boston). Curry looks a little overweight at this point in the season, so look for the Celtics to spread the floor to tire Curry out especially when Raef LaFrentz comes in off the bench.

BENCH
Gerald Green Points: 3.0 Rebounds: 0.9 Assists: 0.2	Nate Robinson Points: 8.8 Rebounds: 2.4 Assists: 2.0
After being in Coach Larry Brown's doghouse a couple weeks ago, Nate Robinson has been logging serious minutes. The injury to starting point guard Stephon Marbury opened up PT for the rookie. Robinson has been averaging 30 minutes per game over his last five contests, which includes a 34-point performance. Robinson's flamboyant attitude and big hops makes him a fan favorite in New York. Meanwhile, Boston's fan favorite Gerald Green was given a chance to play Friday night in Philadelphia and he delivered. Green logged a career-high 25 minutes and 17 points on 6-9 shooting (3-4 from three-point range). Green will look to see even more minutes tonight against a struggling Knicks team that currently has one of the worst records in the NBA.