The Celtics can also feel good about a potential second round showdown with New York given the team’s history over the past two years. Not only will Boston have homecourt if the current standings hold but they have also won seven of the last eight head-to-head matchups between the two teams dating back to the start of the 2023-24 season.

The Knicks' 118-105 defeat Sunday at the Boston Celtics kept New York winless against the Eastern Conference's top two teams, following this past Friday's 142-105 loss to the Cavaliers in Cleveland with another failed test.