The New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics will expectedly face off on Christmas Day this NBA season, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer:
Hearing the Celtics and Knicks will play on Christmas Day in New York.
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) August 10, 2016
This is the second Christmas Day game to be reported. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be hosting the Golden State Warriors in a Finals rematch on Christmas as well.
The Knicks and Celtics are both expected to be formidable in the East this season. The Celtics have been more competitive lately with consecutive trips to the playoffs, while the Knicks have much to prove, having missed the playoffs the last three seasons.
With the additions of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Courtney Lee, the Knicks are at least curious again, and more appealing for one of the biggest ratings days for NBA television. The Celtics are technically amongst the elite of the East, even more so now after adding Al Horford.
The Celtics are 12-17 in Christmas Day games and haven’t played in one since 2012. They beat the Nets, 93-76. The Knicks are 22-28 in Christmas Day games and last played in one in 2014. They lost to the Wizards, 102-91.
The last time the Knicks and the Celtics faced off on Christmas Day was in 2011. It was a 106-104 win for the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony scored 37 points. Rajon Rondo scored 31 points, had 13 assists and five steals for the Celtics.
