Opening the National Basketball Association season in the heart of New York at famed Madison Square Garden seems appropriate. And having the Boston Celtics in town to tangle with the hometown Knicks is a nice bonus.
ESPN will broadcast the battle between longtime Eastern Conference rivals, with tip-off slated for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday’s tilt offers another debut, with Ime Udoka beginning his run as Boston’s head coach.
Udoka got the job after team president Danny Ainge retired and former head coach Brad Stevens was bumped to president of basketball operations. Udoka’s task is to push the Celtics into the postseason for the eighth consecutive year.
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On the other side, reigning NBA Coach of the Year Tom Thibodeau is looking for a second postseason bid after leading the Knicks back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
While the Celtics welcome all-star guard Jaylen Brown (COVID-19) to Wednesday’s line-up, big man Al Horford (COVID-19) has been ruled out.
Bronx native Kemba Walker, who spent part of last season with the Celtics, will lead the Knicks after signing a two-year contract with New York.
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What: NBA, Season opener
Who: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
When: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV: ESPN
Live stream: fuboTV (free trial), Hulu Live TV (free trial), Sling
Betting odds: New York -2, Total: 217.5 (BetMGM)