NBA BASKETBALL BETTING PREVIEW - NEW YORK KNICKS @ BOSTON CELTICS

NBA Basketball

2013-05-03 - New York Knicks at Boston Celtics

A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown

New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics
United States: NBA Basketball Play Offs
Friday 3 May 2013 - Tip Off 7pm
Midnight (British Time)

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Preview

Being a New York Knicks fan has not been easy for a long time as they franchise has struggled to get out of a slump. Failing to win a Play Off series since 2000 was a mental burden for the Knicks, but they looked to have got something going this time as they built a 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics, a lead that no team in the NBA has ever given away in the post-season.

But then the Knicks decided being cocky and prodding the sleeping bear was the best idea... It really is stupid to do that against a veteran Celtics team that loves to be written off to prove a point.

New York could have swept the series last weekend, but returning home shouldn't have been a big problem for the Knicks. However, Kenyon Martin, and a few of the other players, decided to wear all black to the pre-game because they were going to the 'Celtics' funeral'. Dumb move...

It was clear in Game 5 that the Celtics were extra motivated as they began to find their shots, while the Knicks moved away from what helped them lead 3-0 in the series. Too many isolation plays led to poor efficiency, while both Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith struggled from the field in the loss at Madison Square Garden.

While I ruled out the Celtics being capable of doing what the Red Sox did to the Yankees, that series in 2004 has become a major feature of this one. Jason Terry mentioned the Red Sox to the media and it is clear that the Boston crowd are using the baseball team as a inspiration to become the first NBA team to recover from a 3-0 hole.

Mike Woodson has demanded his team show some character in Game 6 on the road and has admitted that the players have a 'sense of urgency' coming into the TD Garden.

Head to Head

New York had won 6 in a row against Boston to help build their lead in the series, but back to back losses means the Knicks lead the season series 6-3.

Boston had lost 3 straight at home before the win in Game 4 on Sunday.

Prediction

This could be the most crucial game for the New York Knicks as their ageing roster certainly doesn't have a huge window to win a Championship and I am not convinced how they will react mentally to being pulled back to 3-3.

The Knicks have to return to the movement of the ball that was so successful in hurting Boston earlier in the series. Even though Boston are heating up from the field, they are still not quite up to speed offensively without Rajon Rondo and I think the Knicks complete the job this time.

The Pick :