Banged-up Knicks’ latest showdown with Jaylen Brown, Celtics could be unlikely playoff preview
NY Post
BOSTON — The hobbling Knicks arrived here Saturday to a snowy city, where the locals were gearing up for their big Drake Maye Day and Jaylen Brown had his sights set on the opponent he enjoys beating the most.
“We just got to keep it up,” Brown said after the Celtics toppled the Heat on Friday night. “Sunday is going to be a big matchup so we need the fans to have the same energy.
“Looking forward to it.”
For the Beantowners, it’s a pre-Super Bowl showdown against the Knicks, who eliminated the Celtics from the playoffs last year and are now among a handful of teams jockeying at the top of the East.
The Knicks (33-19), whose eight-game winning streak was embarrassingly snapped Friday night in a blowout defeat to the Pistons, are third in the conference and a full game behind the No. 2 Celtics (34-18).
New York is banged up — with Miles McBride out for the regular season (sports hernia surgery), OG Anunoby (sore toe) and Karl-Anthony Towns (lacerated eyelid) sitting the previous game and Josh Hart reinjuring his ankle — but Jose Alvarado, the newly acquired scrappy point guard, is expected to debut for the orange and blue.
Travis Kelce didn’t look far for inspiration when he pondered a return for a 14th NFL season.
LOS ANGELES — A day earlier, coach Mike Brown made an impassioned plea to his players to take care of the ball.
The Dolphins thanked Tua for his service and welcomed Willis.
PHILADELPHIA — Wins like this have been a rarity for the Rangers as of late.
TAMPA — There are players who overhaul mechanics during an offseason or spring training and then cram in every at-bat or inning they can, determined to feel comfortable before the games actually matter.
Daniel Jones received $40 million per season with the Giants.
If you like a sure thing and are uncomfortable with surprises or simply not knowing, what comes next might not be for you.
Most of the words Chris Drury said in July about defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov centered around the defensive side of the $49 million defenseman’s game. The Rangers president and general manager wanted to be better in front of their goaltenders. He wanted improved coverage in high-danger areas. And Gavrikov, inked to a seven-year deal at the start of free agency that month to pair with Adam Fox, possessed “qualities of an elite shutdown guy.”
PORT ST. LUCIE — The power has always been there for Ryan Weathers.
LOS ANGELES — Desperately searching for offense, the Knicks dusted off little-used guard Jordan Clarkson on Sunday.
LOS ANGELES — You may have noticed the recent shift in Jalen Brunson’s stat lines. It’s rather dramatic.
With about five weeks left in the NBA’s regular season, we have a pretty clear picture of the contenders for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The Eagles are keeping a core piece of the defense for the future.