in

Knicks vs. Celtics matchups: Inside the 10 factors that will decide series

knicks-vs.-celtics-matchups:-inside-the-10-factors-that-will-decide-series
Knicks vs. Celtics matchups: Inside the 10 factors that will decide series

The Knicks have landed in the second round of the NBA playoffs for a third straight year, marking the first time the franchise has accomplished that feat since a nine-year heyday streak of at least one postseason advancement from 1992-2000.

Now comes the even harder part and far more daunting task for these Knicks, after they survived all they could handle in their six games against the up-and-coming and rough-and-tumble Pistons in the opening round.

That’s right, the peaking Celtics — whose breezy, five-game elimination of Orlando gives them a sparkling record of 33-7 over their past 40 games — await beginning Monday night in Boston.

The defending league champions represent a most formidable opponent in the second round in every conceivable way for the Knicks — who dropped all four head-to-head meetings during the regular season, including a blowout loss led inside a celebratory TD Garden to open the 82-game slate.

blade-tidwell-roughed-up-in-mlb-debut,-jesse-winker-injured-as-mets-drop-game-1-of-doubleheader-to-cardinals

Blade Tidwell roughed up in MLB debut, Jesse Winker injured as Mets drop Game 1 of doubleheader to Cardinals

new-cowboys-coach-brian-schottenheimer-enacts-locker-room-shakeup-that-players-have-no-‘say’-in

New Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer enacts locker room shakeup that players have no ‘say’ in