Pierce on facing Knicks in playoffs: "Fans in for a treat"


Celtics fans will get a preview of Boston's first round series with the Knicks this Wednesday, but don't expect it to be any bit as intense as it will be in the opening round of the 2010-11 playoffs.

The rivalry between Boston and New York is well known to everyone who follows sports. The Red Sox and Yankees have their famous feud and the Jets and Patriots are learning to hate each other more and more with each word that passes through Rex Ryan's mouth. The Knicks-Celtics rivalry has been dormant for quite a while. After some intense regular season match ups this year, you can expect that rivalry to be kicked up a notch in the first round.

"I think it's going to be fun," Paul Pierce told ESPNBoston intern Greg Payne. "You definitely have that rivalry in baseball. Maybe we can spark a rivalry in basketball. You've got two cities who are close to each other, great sports towns. I think it's going to be great for the game."

In the regular season, the Celtics are 3-0 against the Knicks. However, they've won those games by only an average of  5.3 points. Their biggest margin of victory was 10 back on March 21st yet it took a big fourth quarter comeback to take that one from New York. This is going to be one exciting series, and Pierce can attest to that.

"Pierce said the BOS-NY series will be as exciting as the Lakers last year or Bulls the year before," tweeted ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "Says fans are in for a treat."