April 19, 2000

[celticsmail@bostonceltics.com]

Hey Celt,

C’s Clash with Knicks to Close out Season


The Boston Celtics will close out their 1999-2000 campaign on Wednesday night, April 19th, as the New York Knicks visit the FleetCenter.  The Celtics will honor their fans after the game with a “Fan Appreciation” celebration.  Players will greet the fans at the turnstiles and prizes and Celtics merchandise will be given away throughout the night.

The Knicks have been challenging Miami for the Atlantic Division title all season long, but after a loss to Cleveland on Monday, New York seems firmly entrenched in the division’s second slot.  The Knicks will have the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and the homecourt advantage in the first round.  The way the playoff picture is shaping up, New York will host a dangerous Toronto team in the first round.

Meanwhile, the Celtics have been playing the role of spoiler since being eliminated from the playoffs themselves.  The Green have by no means mailed it in, winning three of their last four games at the FleetCenter, where they have already set a franchise record for wins.  The C’s are 25-15 on their home court.

For Boston, Captain Antoine Walker remains hot.  He scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Sunday’s three-point loss to Charlotte. Walker has been the most consistent Boston player this season, leading the squad in points (20.7) and rebounds (8.0) and finishing 2nd in assists (3.7). 

For New York, Allan Houston has developed into a true superstar.  Houston leads the Knicks in scoring at 19.7 points per game.  He is knocking down 43 percent of his shots from three-point range, good enough for 7th in the league.  Latrell Sprewell has also been an iron man for the Knicks.  He and Houston have started every game this season, and Sprewell’s average of over 40 minutes per game ranks 4th in the NBA.  The swingman is second on the team in scoring, pouring in 18.7 ppg.

Big men Patrick Ewing and Larry Johnson provide rebounding and an imposing presence down low, as well as double figures in points scored.  The Knicks don’t lose much when lanky shot-blocker Marcus Camby comes off the bench to spell the frontcourt starters.

It’s always a battle when the Knicks and Celtics mix it up, and this year has been no exception.  New York has won both meetings at Madison Square Garden, while Boston claimed the only match-up at The FleetCenter.

Tickets for tonight’s game are sold out.  The game can be heard on WRKO Radio 680 AM, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and can also be seen live on FOX Sports Net.


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