Staff picks: Knicks vs. Cetlics
Can the experienced Chauncey Billups help the Knicks upset the more experienced Celtics? Credit: Jason DeCrow
ALAN HAHN: The series will be physical and nasty and the Knicks will put a scare into the defending Eastern Conference champs. But the Knicks’ Big 2.5 will fall short of pulling off an upset against Boston's battle-tested Big Four. CELTICS IN 6
NEIL BEST: Wasn’t last year supposed to be the Celtics' last gasp? They are aging before our eyes; no way they survive a long series with their thirtysomething stars. What’s next? Bailey Howell off the bench? Garden party in Game 6. KNICKS IN 6
BARBARA BARKER: Celtics haven’t looked good since the trading deadline and may even have some chemistry issues. Overall, the Celtics are starting to look their age, and the bet here is they won’t find their fountain of youth in the playoffs. KNICKS IN 7
RODERICK BOONE: With Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Chancey Billups, the Knicks boast some offensive firepower they haven't had in years. But the experience of Boston's Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen and their better bench will be too much. CELTICS IN 6
