NBA Playoffs 2013: Schedule and Predictions

Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett

Manhattan Knicks (2) vs. Boston Celtics (7). 

Game 1 – Sat April 20, Boston at New York, 3 p.m., ABC/R
Game 2 – Tue April 23, Boston at New York, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 – Fri April 26, New York at Boston, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 – Sun April 28, New York at Boston, 1 p.m., ABC/R
Game 5 * Wed May 1, Boston at New York, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 3, New York at Boston, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 5, Boston at New York, TBD, TBD

Will the Knicks finally win a playoff series? In order to do it, they will need to beat the Celtics, who have been the Knicks’ biggest rivals since Boston won a championship in 2008. The Knicks have a ton of questions entering this series.  Will the incredible 3-point shooting continue and can that offense actually be effective in the playoffs? Can Carmelo average 40 points per game in a playoff series? Can J.R. Smith NOT go back to his old ways of chucking up awful jump shots and continue attacking the paint? Will this team’s injury problems finally lead to them crumbling before our eyes in the playoffs? Of course, the Celtics have their share of injury concerns as well, but they always seem to play their best in the playoffs.

Player to watch: Jeff Green

We know what many of these Celtics can do in the playoffs. One player who we are not familiar with is Jeff Green. Green has had a resurgent year and will probably be starting now for Boston in the playoffs. He might be the key for them in this series. If he can average around 18 ppg and play solid defense on Carmelo Anthony, Boston will be in a great position to win this series.

Prediction: Boston wins 4-2. 

There is a chance that the Knicks continue their unsustainable shooting in the playoffs and absolutely dominate the Celtics in a 4-game sweep. However, in a 7-game series, I believe Doc Rivers has a plan on how to stop the Knicks from getting looks they want to take and the Celtics will be able to significantly slow down the Knicks’ offense. Manhattan will still probably not have a healthy Tyson Chandler on defense, which will allow Boston to remain relevant on offense. Psychologically, the Celtics have all the advantages and they will win this series in 6 games.