Why Kendrick Perkins Thinks Knicks 'Need' Win Over Celtics
The Boston Celtics face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
Why Kendrick Perkins Thinks Knicks 'Need' Win Over Celtics originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Kendrick Perkins put all the pressure on the New York Knicks entering Thursday's showdown against the Boston Celtics .
The Celtics can clinch the Atlantic division and Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed with a victory at Madison Square Garden, but the former champion feels the Knicks have more at stake. Perkins laughed when asked which team needs a win more on ESPN's "NBA Today.
" "It's the Knicks," Perkins said. "The Knicks need this win like I need my diabetic shot every week. That's how bad they need this win in the worst way.
" Perkins claimed the Knicks still must prove they're a real championship contender by beating a top-tier squad like the Celtics. As Perkins spoke, an ESPN graphic noted that New York lost to the Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets by an average margin of 13 points before collecting three straight wins over the Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. "Over the last six or seven weeks, they haven't had a real statement win to let the world know they're a real, legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference," Perkins claimed.