Celtics will be facing rival Knicks on opening night

The Boston Celtics will be facing one of their division rivals, the New York Knicks, on opening night for the 2024-25 NBA season. Fans are already divided on having them being the Celtics’ first opponent.

Some fans are tired of the Knicks and their fans, who always compare themselves to the Celtics, and believe they are better than them. This mindset has been further strengthened by the new acquisition by the Knicks, forward Mikal Bridges, who joins his college teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, to form what their fans call the “Villanova Knicks”.

The Knicks are now seen as true rivals to the Celtics with this new acquisition, but in reality, they are not. While they are the other favorite to make the Eastern Conference Finals, they really don’t have a chance to beat the Celtics.

By acquiring Bridges, the Knicks consist of mostly forwards and guards, and have no true big men. Their main guy from the playoffs last year, Isaiah Hartenstein, left to go to OKC after they wouldn’t pay him. Mitchell Robinson is their true first string center, but he is very injury prone.

The Celtics roster can also score from all three levels; inside, mid-range, and deep. Even their big men can shoot, which provides problems for the Knicks. The Celtics have a much deeper roster as well, as they can play 10-12 guys while the Knicks only play six or seven.

So, in the end, the Celtics will still prevail over their new look rivals.

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