NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks, who opened their season with a blowout loss in Boston, entered Saturday night viewing their rematch with the defending-champion Celtics as a measuring stick of sorts as they approach the All-Star break.
They exited Madison Square Garden having gotten a clear answer about where they stand: Far behind the Celtics, who routed the Knicks, 131-104, just like they did back in October.
The 27-point setback -- New York's largest of the season -- was an eye-opening one, given that the Knicks had won seven of their last eight and entered having been just 1.