Pierce Sees 'Very Exciting' Series Against Knicks
BOSTON (CBS) - When the Celtics take on the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs starting Sunday, it will just be another chapter in the Boston-New York rivalry.
"I think it's going to be fun," Paul Pierce said. "You definitely have that rivalry in baseball, maybe we can spark a rivalry here in basketball. You have two cities who are close to each other, great sports towns. I think its going to be great for the game."
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"We are a talented team that is capable of doing a lot of things," Glen Davis said after Wednesday's practice. "I think guys are going to be ready, guys are going to be prepared. This is what everyone came here for. Shaq and Jermaine O'Neal. This is why Kevin (Garnett) is still here. Why Paul is still here, he re-signed here, and Ray (Allen). For these moments. I think everyone's going to do their part. We'll be there when it's all said and done."
"It's going to be a very interesting series, I know everybody's going to tune in to watch it," Pierce added. "I know this going to be as exciting as that series against the Lakers last year, or the series we had a couple years ago against the Bulls. I think it's going to be very exciting for the fans to watch."
The Celtics have won all three meetings with the Knicks so far this season, with one final game coming Wednesday night. The Celtics had to battle for their three victories, two of which came before New York acquired All-Star forward Carmello Anthony.
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Pierce averaged 26 points against the Knicks, more than any other team this season. He hit a game winning shot in the Celtics 118-116 win in New York in December.
The Celtics captain said on Tuesday he was unsure if he would play in the regular season finale and would not mind the extra rest. Many of the starters did not play in Monday night's loss to the Wizards and are not expected to take the floor Wednesday either.
The Celtics will get plenty rest when the postseason gets underway with the spaced out schedule.
"With the older players we've got, I think that's better for our advantage," Pierce said of the more relaxed schedule during the playoffs. "We have a few days at home, a few days on the road, no back-to-backs. We can really focus in on one team. Like I said before, our team is really built for the playoffs."
