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The Boston Celtics take on the New York Knicks at the TD Garden on Sunday in a 2020-21 NBA game.
The New York Knicks have been off to a good start this season but have lost steam of late and enter this contest on a five-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, the 8-3 Boston Celtics are soaring high this season. The Boston Celtics are on a hot streak of five consecutive wins that has propelled them to the top of Eastern Conference table. However, the Boston Celtics will be shorthanded for this game, as several players are missing due to the league's stringent COVID-19 protocols.
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Prediction: Combined starting-5
In their last outing, the New York Knicks fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-106.
As a team, the New York Knicks shot 48% from the field but could not make it count in the final stretch of the game. However, Julius Randle had an impressive performance with a team-high 28 points on the night. He is leading the New York Knicks in most stat categories this campaign.
The Boston Celtics took advantage of a struggling Magic side, comfortably beating them 124-97. The Celtics outgunned the Magic on the offense, making 17 threes on 40% shooting from downtown, with Jaylen Brown producing a team-high 21 points in 25 minutes from the floor.
On that note, let us take a look at a hypothetical combined starting-five of the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks.
Point Guard - Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics)
Marcus Smart has been playing for the Boston Celtics since 2014. He brings his athletic abilities to the floor on a nightly basis and competes hard at both ends of the hardwood.
Marcus Smart is having a good season for the Boston Celtics this campaign. He is the third-highest scorer in the team and is averaging 12.4 points and six assists in ten games.
Shooting Guard - RJ Barrett (New York Knicks)
RJ Barrett has been a rising talent for the New York Knicks this season.
He can get hot from the floor and is known to be a streaky shooter. He does not indulge in risky plays on the offense and plays a solid fundamental game.
With Alec Burks out of their lineup, RJ Barett has stepped up his game this campaign and has been the second option behind Julius Randle in terms of scoring.
He is averaging an impressive 16.6 points to go with 7.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 13 games.
Small Forward - Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
With Kemba Walker out of their lineup for the start of the season, Jaylen Brown knew the Boston Celtics would require more from him, and he has delivered big time. Brown is having an All-Star-caliber season this campaign and continues to post big numbers night after night.
Jaylen has earned the respect of the Boston Celtics fans, who were skeptical when the franchise offered him a massive extension. However, he is giving them their money's worth, as the Boston Celtics are looking like a Beast in the East this season.
Brown is playing an all-around game with contributions at both ends of the floor. He is averaging 25.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 11 games this season.
Power Forward - Julius Randle (New York Knicks)
Julius Randle has been tearing it up this season and is having the best season of his professional career.
He has been on fire from the floor, shooting with 50% accuracy from the hardwood. Randle was the driving force behind the New York Knicks' good start to the season, but things have not been going well for him or the team, off late.
In 13 games this campaign, the player has produced for 23.2 points, 10.5 rebounds,and 6.7 assists.
Center - Tristan Thompson (Boston Celtics)
Tristan Thompson is the newest addition to the Boston Celtics roster this season and has already made his mark on the team with his defensive attributes.
Thompson played a pivotal role in the Cleveland Cavaliers' historic come-from-behind run in their victorious 2016 NBA Finals.
Thompson will aim to repeat the magic this postseason for his new team too.
Danny Ainge knocked one out of the park by getting him to bolster the Boston Celtics' front line. Thompson is an exceptional rim protector who can match up to the best in the game.
