PREVIEW: The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics will face off on Sunday afternoon with tipoff set for 12:30 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston. The Knicks sit only a game-and-a-half behind Boston for the second seed in the Eastern Conference , setting up a crucial matchup between two Eastern Conference contenders. The Celtics rank second in efficient transition offense while boasting elite spacing on offense, though they allow the league's second-most three-point attempts on defense. New York's defensive identity shines in limiting rim attacks—ranking fourth in that category—while their efficient three-point shooting (fifth-ranked) gives them offensive firepower. Boston has won its fifth straight game and improved to 3-0 against the Knicks this season , establishing itself as the heavy favorite in this matchup. Jaylen Brown continues his elite scoring run, averaging 29.5 points, 7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game with solid defensive contributions , while Jalen Brunson remains a scoring force for New York at 27.1 points per game. The Celtics are 3.5-point favorites with the over-under set at 214.5 total points . Both squads will look to impose their respective strengths—Boston's transition dominance against New York's three-point accuracy and defensive rim protection—in what shapes up as a compelling divisional showdown.