Knicks vs. Celtics match might be a glimpse of the playoffs

“We’re just going to keep it going,” Brown mentioned after the Celtics’ victory over the Heat on Friday night. “Sunday is a big game, and we really need the fans to match our energy.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

This game is set to be a pre-Super Bowl face-off against the Knicks. Last year, the Knicks knocked the Celtics out of the playoffs, and they are currently among the top teams in the East.

The Knicks (33-19) faced a disappointing defeat against the Pistons on Friday, ending their eight-game winning streak, yet they still hold third place in the conference, just one game behind the second-place Celtics (34-18).

New York is buzzing with news of Miles McBride missing the rest of the regular season due to sports hernia surgery, as well as OG Anunoby (sore toe) and Karl-Anthony Towns (torn eyelid) also absent from the last game. To add to the mix, Josh Hart re-injured his ankle, but the newly acquired point guard, Jose Alvarado, is expected to debut in the orange and blue.

“He brings a level of toughness to the team. His energy is unmatched,” said Knicks coach Mike Brown. “What he can do defensively, especially in pick-and-roll situations, is impressive.”

The Celtics counter with rookie Nikola Vucevic, who, while limited in athleticism, has skills that can help, especially since Jayson Tatum is out after Achilles surgery. This puts a lot of the pressure on Brown, who is quite outspoken about his rivalry with the Knicks.

“Last year, we were a championship team,” Brown remarked, recalling how they celebrated their victory with duck boats and champagne. He added, “Now we have to deal with those insufferable Knicks fans. I still don’t get how we lost overall.”

Brown even made headlines in December for saying, “Forget the Knicks,” during a livestream after scoring 42 points against them at TD Garden.

Sunday’s game is another chapter in this rivalry, now with the Knicks ahead in the standings.

Before this setback in Detroit, the Knicks had been performing well, though they hit a snag, scoring a season-low 80 points and struggling against the Pistons’ pace and physical play.

“Offensively, we missed a lot of shots,” Jordan Clarkson noted after the game. “They applied pressure on us, forcing tough shots. It’s definitely challenging to win at home when we face those issues.”

In theory, the Celtics should offer a tougher challenge than the Pistons for the Knicks, who rely more on their size than speed.

The first two games of the season were split between these teams.

If the standings remain as they are, the Knicks might face the Celtics again in the second round. It’s a big opportunity for Brown, who’s averaging 29.5 points this season. But first, they have the Super Bowl undercard at TD Garden.