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NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics to play at New York Knicks on Christmas

By John Buhler

Mar 4, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives to the hoop against Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives to the hoop against Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Al Horford and the Boston Celtics are reportedly going to play Derrick Rose and the New York Knicks as one of the five NBA games on Christmas Day 2016.

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The NBA will release the 82-game slates for all 30 teams on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 5:45 PM ET. To no one’s surprise, there have been — and will continue to be — strategic leaks of some of the more marquee matchups leading up to the official schedule release.

Given the amount of attention given to the five annual Christmas Day games, Ringer staf fwriter Kevin O’Connor reports that the Boston Celtics are going to be playing the New York Knicks as one of the quintet of games on the Christmas slate.

Is anyone really shocked to see the Knicks once again headlining the Yuletide bill? Sure, they’ve failed to make the playoffs in each of the past three season. But we’re also talking about one of the league’s historic staples — a franchise whose fan base is as loyal and hopeful as any you’ll find. Operating in a massive media market helps, of course, as does playing Madison Square Garden.

Still, the game between Atlantic Division rivals in Boston and New York stands to have a bit more intrigue than it has the past few season. Boston should once again be a playoff team in 2017, particularly after upgrading its front court with the free agent acquisition of former Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford.

Meanwhile, New York has massively overhauled its starting five, which now features former No. 1 overall pick and 2011 league MVP Derrick Rose — offloaded by the Chicago Bulls in an effort to build the team around Jimmy Butler and, as it turns out, Chi-Town native Dwyane Wade — as the starting point guard. The Knicks have the starting five to at the very least be interesting in the Eastern Conference and could very well play in a Conference Semifinals should the group really gel this season.

There will be four other Christmas Day games announced on Thursday, but if the first one announced between Boston and New York holds up at Madison Square Garden, it could be one of the better television products on that day.

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