Play-In Propoganda

Heading into Week 12, the Celtics and Knicks are currently tied, both with an 18-20 record for the 9th seed in the East. In any old season, this wouldn’t be a thrilling spot to be in. First team out of the playoffs, standing 3 games back from the 8th seed, but this is the year of 2021 and everything is different. The NLL has enacted a play-in tournament beginning this season that will likely last for seasons more, and these 2 teams are right in the thick of it. The 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th seeds will participate in a mini-tourney before the rest of the playoffs begin, expanding the playing field.

However, these teams can’t get too comfortable. Surely both of them are hoping to move up just a but in the standing, so that they can have some better footing. Plus, the Raptors are nipping at their heels. Games like these are big for 2 teams in similar positions who may end up seeing each other in higher-stakes settings down the road.

Both Boston and New York, despite sitting outside the traditional playoffs, boast quarters with some serious star power. The Knicks are built around a core of players just entering their prime, in Donovan Mitchell, D’Angelo Russell, Andre Drummond, and Julius Randle. Meanwhile the Celtics hold some more established names, in Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Jonas Valanciunas, and Paul Millsap. Neither team has been able to see their group of 4 play together yet this season, in Boston’s case, because they just traded for Millsap, but in New York’s case, because they’ve been haunted witn injuries.

Heading into tonight’s game, there will be a lot of interesting player storyline’s to observe, and this GOTW preview will be highlighting those:

Highlight #1: Paul Millsap’s Debut

In Boston’s recent deal with Denver, they managed to pick up a versatile veteran forward in Paul Millsap for the relatively insignificant cost of just George Hill, who was already on the block, a 2nd Rd Pick, and 10 GM points. Millsap is starting to slow down as he hits the tail end of his career, but should still prove to be a useful addition for the Celtics who are sure to welcome some forward depth. Paul will likely slot in at the starting Power Forward slot right between Paul George and Jonas Valanciunas. We’ll see how much of a boost he’s able to give this team as they try to make a push over the 2nd half of the season.

Highlight #2: D’Angelo Russell Arrives in The Big Apple

Another debut game! The Knicks recently made another big splash, this time for D’Angelo Russell. The scoring guard has been abiding in Chicago most recently, leading them to a playoff spot last season, but he’s a lot of game time this season. The Knicks hope they can get D’Lo back on track with his new team and alongside the starpower the this team posesses. The Knicks gave up a 1st round pick and 2 rock solid point guards in Lonzo Ball and Goran Dragic to pick him up, no slight price, so all eyes will be on New York to see if this combination of players is able to see the success they’re capable of when they’re all healthy.

Highlight #3: Boston’s Bench Bothers

We already highlight how talented Boston’s starting lineup is, with the starpower they have. Paul George specifically has been incredible, however their 2nd unit has not held up on their end. That group, headlined by two rookie guards, Payton Pritchard and Theo Maledon, alongside Javonte Green, James Ennis, and Aron Baynes, has really struggled to produce, and has consequently been handed some pretty negative net ratings. The Celtics need more production from their complementary pieces if they want to see more success than they have. Maybe that means shaking up the starting lineup a little.

Highlight #4: Drummond Doldrums

The Knicks have received very little production from their offseason acquisition and anchor in the paint, Andre Drummond. The beast who was playing alongside LeBron James in years past has been noticably absent for this Knicks team due to a variety of reasons, as they continue to feel his absence. Darko’s other splashy offseason acquisition, Donovan Mitchell has held up his end of the bargain, as he’s putting up a career year after being buried in Milwaukee’s filthy wealth of goods. In 12 games this season, Drummond put up 17 points and his trademark bulky 18 rebounds per game. The Knicks could sure use a bit of that now, and luckily for them, it shouldn’t be much longer.

Highlight #5: Boston’s Porous Defense and New York’s Leaky Offense

Over the course of the season, the Celtics have been incapabale of stopping the other team defensively. They currently rank as the 2nd worst defense in the league aside from the Kings, who comfortably hold the title as worst overall team in the league. Sorry JWalk. They make up for it with above-average offense, but often it hasn’t been enough to cover their butt. The hope is that Paul Millsap can help but a bandage on that, however it’s more than just a one-man-job. The Knicks will hope to capitalize on that, however, they seem to get in their own way a bit too often. New York is one of the highest-turnover teams in the league. The addition of D’Angelo Russell may help with that some, but he isn’t the cleanest offensive guy in the NLL and is likely bound for some questionable possessions as the primary ball-handler.

Final Verdict: I have the Knicks taking this game in a very close one. 112-107