The Boston Celtics rebounded from last week’s back-to-back losses to Minnesota and Philadelphia and can stretch their winning streak to three games when they host the New York Knicks on Monday night.
Boston ended its two-game skid with a 121-107 victory over Brooklyn on Friday, then beat Toronto 117-94 on Saturday. The win against Toronto improved Boston’s home record to 4-0.
Monday’s game will be the second time the Celtics and Knicks have faced each other this season. Boston earned a 108-104 victory on Oct. 25 in the season opener for both teams.
Porzingis had 30 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots in that victory. The Knicks took Porzingis with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft but traded him to Dallas in 2019.
The Knicks enter Monday’s game after Sunday’s 129-107 win over Charlotte. The victory stretched New York’s winning streak to three games.
RJ Barrett scored a team-high 24 points for New York, which received 23 points from Julius Randle and 20 from Jalen Brunson. Both players sat out the fourth quarter. The Knicks shot a season-high 54 percent from the field.
New York held Charlotte to 46.8 percent shooting from the field (44 of 94).
Barrett is averaging 22.6 points per game and leads New York in scoring. Brunson is averaging 22.2 points.
Boston scored a season-high 60 points in the paint during Saturday’s win over Toronto.
Mazzulla added that he was pleased with Boston’s defense, which didn’t allow Toronto to score more than 25 points in any of the final three quarters.
Jayson Tatum leads Boston in both scoring (27.7 points per game) and rebounding (9.2 boards per game).
