2011 Playoff Preview: (3) Boston vs. (6) New York

3 Boston Celtics (56-26) vs. 6 New York Knicks (42-40)
Inside the Series

Season Series: BOS (4-0)

Scoring Leaders: Carmelo Anthony (NY): 25.6 PPG
                             Paul Pierce (BOS): 18.9 PPG

Assist Leaders: Rajon Rondo (BOS): 11.2 APG
                         Chauncey Billups (NY): 5.4 APG

Rebounding Leaders: Kevin Garnett (BOS): 8.9 RPG
                                   Amare Stoudemire (NY): 8.2 RPG

Key Players

Boston: G Ray Allen
The Knicks rank 24th in the NBA in 3-point defense. Can Ray Allen ignite and exploit the weak perimeter defense?

New York: F Amare Stoudemire
The Celtics essentially gave away Kendrick Perkins and have lost Shaquille O'Neal to injury. Can Amare best Kevin Garnett and beat the Celtics down low?

Key Matchup

Carmelo Anthony vs. Paul Pierce
It's a battle against two big scorers and two clutch players.

Prediction

Game 1: New York 103, Boston 98
Game 2: New York 87, Boston 101
Game 3: Boston 91, New York 90
Game 4: Boston 100, New York 112
Game 5: New York 81, Boston 94
Game 6: Boston 95, New York 101
Game 7: New York 102, Boston 110

Boston wins 4-3
The Celtics have gone to seven games in two of the last three quarterfinal matchups. Boston's experience will pull it out, but the Knicks are too stubborn to go down easy.