Celtics 128, Knicks 100: Scenes from a predictable smackdown

This game was only ever going to go one way.

The Celtics were riding a three-game win streak and talking about the Knicks as if they were a real team that’s worth worrying about. Revenge was on their mind, and revenge they got. The Knicks hung around for parts of three quarters, but eventually Boston turned on the jets with a 29-16 fourth quarter and buried the Knicks, 128-100.

But hey, like most of the games in this losing-filled season, it wasn’t all bad. Tim Hardaway Jr. just kinda did his thing again. He had 22 points on 7-19 shooting, but six of those makes were triples.

Oh, and he got hit on the noggin again. Tim’s head just seems like an elbow magnet lately, doesn’t it?

Emmanuel Mudiay and Mitchell Robinson connected for perhaps one of the top two or three alley-oops by the Knicks this season:

Mudiay finished with 17 points and six assists (though his 5-15 shooting left a little to be desired) and Mitch had seven points, eight boards and two blocks off the bench.

Noah Vonleh and Enes Kanter both started and both double-doubled: Vonleh with 12 points and 10 boards, Kanter with 14 and 11.

Vonleh canned his only 3-pointer of the night, and his 45.5 percent rate from deep this year is absolutely Curry-like.

Oh and the Knicks flashed a zone defense a few times tonight? Kind of an unorthodox look, and it really didn’t go well:

Oh, and hey, Mario Hezonja still sucks and Frank Ntilikina didn’t play again. Fun!

Be sure to call in to KnicksFanTV at 657-383-1609 if you feel like commiserating after this one:

Whatevs. Another loss closer to Zion, hopefully. MMiranda’s got the recap in a little bit.