Is tonight's game vs the Knicks a must-win for the Celtics?
The Celtics enter tonight's contest at 19-18 having lost 5 out of their last 6 games. With a matchup against the Knicks tonight, who are breathing down their necks in the standings, the Cs are in danger of falling out of the playoff picture.
Knicks won tonight, which means if they beat the Celtics on Tuesday they'll be tied in the standings. Didn't see that coming.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) January 11, 2016
It's no secret that the Cs are struggling big time and people are starting to take notice. In ESPN's latest NBA Power Rankings, Marc Stein has the Celtics falling down 5 spots:
The Celts have slipped below .500 at home and, worse, are now 0-5 in games decided by three points or fewer, which is the league's worst record in such situations. In the final minute of the fourth quarter this season, when the score is within three points, Boston is shooting just 4-for-16 from the field and has recorded more turnovers (three) than assists (two).
This all raises the question of whether or not tonight is a must-win game for the men in green? The answer to that question is a resounding yes. The Celts are in danger of being passed up by the Knicks in the playoff picture and some serious questions are starting to arise in terms of who's on the trading block and who's not. If Boston wants to get back into the swing of playing well, it will have to start tonight on the road in New York. Many thought this Celtics team was overachieving a few weeks ago with how well they were playing but that narrative has quickly changed to underachieving in these last six or seven games. Here's hoping that the Cs will turn things around and right the ship tonight in the Big Apple.
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