Tom Szczerbowski – USA Today Sports Images
The New York Knicks season can really be clearly divided into three parts leading up to the NBA Playoffs. They got off to a blistering start, shooting lights out from three-point range. Then they hit wall, going cold from long range and looking disheveled on offense. They finished the year, though, going 16-2 over their last 18 games, fueled by a rejuvenated offense and the terrific play of Carmelo Anthony.
Now the Knicks will meet the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs and they will be looking to keep the momentum that they finished the regular season with going. A lot of that is going to fall on Anthony and J.R. Smith, but against the Celtics in particular, Tyson Chandler is going to be a major factor in if the Knicks are successful or not.
Chandler has had a wonderful season with the Knicks this year, averaging 10.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game on 63.8 percent shooting. He’s remarkably consistent on the offensive end. However, it’s Chandler’s rebounding that is going to play an enormous role in this series.
The Celtics are a smaller team that plays Kevin Garnett at the center position, meaning Garnett will be matched up with Chandler. This will give Chandler a size and strength advantage in that matchup, though Garnett may be the more proven and experienced player between the two.
Boston has also been one of the worst rebounding teams in the league this season, largely due to their lack of size. They ranked next to last in the NBA this season in rebounds per game and had the worst rebound percentage in the league at just 47.5 percent. That means they are vulnerable in an area where Chandler can excel and where he should take advantage of.
If Chandler is able to dominate the glass for the Knicks it will help create extra possessions for New York which will help to fuel their offense against the defensive-minded Celtics. If Garnett finds a way to keep him off the glass, though, the Celtics may not have every advantage, but the game will be playing more into their hands. For New York, Chandler’s performance on the board could legitimately swing the series either way.
Cody Williams is a Senior NBA Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.
