The Knicks have played an additional 50 games since their opening night disaster in Boston, largely achieving their stated goal of steadily improving over the course of a season they began with two new starting players.
More than three months later, the Knicks (34-17) finally will face the defending NBA champions for a second time — and with a significant chance to pull even in the loss column Saturday night at the Garden.
It also will mark the first game for the third-seeded Knicks and the No. 2 Celtics (36-16) after both teams essentially stood pat ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
“It’s the next test,” Tom Thibodeau said after practice Friday in Tarrytown. “It’s about understanding how you prepare for each game and what are the strengths and weaknesses of the team. We have to know them well.
“Obviously, they’re a dangerous team. They are the defending champion. So we have to be ready to play 48 minutes of really good basketball.”
Asked what stood out the most from the season opening 132-109 loss in Boston on Oct. 22, Thibodeau replied in an understatement, “The 3-point shooting was probably the difference in the game.”
Indeed, the Celtics matched an NBA record with 29 made 3-pointers in that thrashing after raising their championship banner, spoiling the Knicks debuts of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges.
“We’re a different team now,” said Towns, who was named an All-Star starter for the first time in his career. “[It’s] just understanding each other, the continuity, understanding what our strengths are. We [have] a different mindset as a team, as well. … There’s been time with each other to cultivate a culture.
“Obviously, you always want to get the best [standings] position possible, but every game, you treat it like [you’re playing] the Boston Celtics.”
Point guard Jalen Brunson also was named a first-time All-Star starter, giving the Knicks two stars to combat the Celtics duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Boston is coming off a home loss Thursday to the Mavericks, who still didn’t have Anthony Davis in the lineup following the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers.
“It’s another stepping stone for us to see where we are,” Brunson said. “Each game is a test for us to see where we can improve. … When a team wins the way they did, everyone is chasing them, so there’s a lot of respect for Boston around the league.”
The Knicks made only a minor move to acquire veteran wing Delon Wright from the Bucks for reserve center Jericho Sims, an indication the Knicks are fully expecting Mitchell Robinson back at some point from a season-long recovery from ankle surgery.
“I like our group a lot,” Thibodeau said. “They’ve worked extremely hard together throughout the start to where we are today. We still have a lot of work to do. We think we can get a lot better.”
Added Towns: “Our mentality has never changed. We always thought this was our team since Day One, when we started and we said what we wanted to accomplish this year. This has always been our team. We’ve always had tremendous faith that that’s what it was going to be moving forward.”
Brunson also said he’s “more than happy” with the Knicks roster as they look to advance deeper into the playoffs after two consecutive second-round eliminations.
“On trade deadline day, whoever wears New York across their chest is who we’re going with and who we’re trusting,” Brunson said. “Regardless of what happens, this is the team we’re going with, and I have the utmost respect and confidence in them. We’re ready to go.”
