- Mike Woodson will shake up the Knicks starting lineup tonight, removing Chris Copeland from the small forward spot and inserting James White, which will allow Carmelo Anthony to remain in the power forward slot. With the Knicks struggling lately, going 2-4 in their last six games, Woodson hopes the move will help get New York back on track. Iman Shumpert has also had his minutes limit increased to 25 by the Knicks training staff, according to Woodson.
- Tonight marks the frist time Anthony and Kevin Garnett will face off since Anthony was suspended for a game after attempting to confront Garnett at the Celtics’ team bus on January 7th. Despite the incident, caused by Garnett’s trash talk, Anthony insisted there are no issues between the two players moving forward. “It’s no bad blood, no grudges between us or anything like that,” Anthony told reporters on Wednesday. “I don’t hold no grudges or have any bad blood towards the guy.”
- Boston has continued to battle inconsistency in their season, as they have followed up a six-game winning streak with their current four-game slide, which includes losses to the Cavaliers and Pistons. An inability on the offensive end has accounted for a large part of their current issues, as the team has shot just 41.3 percent from the field and 28 percent from beyond the arc during the four-game losing streak. Doc Rivers remained confident in his team before the game, despite their struggles. “I think we have what we need in the locker room. I’m just not getting it out of them,” Rivers said.
- The Knicks have lost 13 consecutive games to the Celtics at the TD Garden, dating back to November 13, 2006 when they defeated Boston 101-77.
– Brian Robb
