NBA Christmas day special started with the match between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. Celtics went into the game by winning three straight road duels and finally playing their brand of basketball as the team is healthy. The Knicks are also a great home team, so something had to give in this game.
Knicks had the lead after the first quarter ended. Celtics slowly but surely got into their groove and took the lead going into the halftime. Boston was disciplined throughout the match and controlled the most of the second half. Thomas had some shaky moments in the final minutes of this one so the contest was probably a bit closer than it should have been. In the end, the Celtics got their win.
Al Horford has been pretty noticeable in this duel as he did a bit of everything. The passing is there, he spreads the floor and is pretty effective down low. Thomas is, of course, the main threat on the offensive side of the ball while Bradley and Crowder are two good all-around players that can give you offensive burst on any given night.
Celtics have finally gotten healthy. That is the main reason for their early struggles. With Horford and Crowder being out of the lineup for about three weeks in November, it was hard for this team to get in the offensive groove. Now, they are healthy and ready to separate themselves from the rest of the pack in the East that will be battling for a Playoff spot.
It’s pretty clear that the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the two best squads in the East. The Celtics could join that duo if they continue playing as they have in the past two weeks.
