NBA Hoops

Celtics, Knicks tip off first of two-game set in New York

Without Paul George, Clippers carry on vs. Timberwolves

The month of January presents both the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics with opportunities to establish themselves as playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference.

The next two games give both teams the chance to make the road more difficult for the other.

The Knicks will look to earn a second straight win Thursday night, when they are scheduled to host the Celtics in the opener of a home-and-home between the longtime rivals. The set is slated to conclude Saturday in Boston.

The two teams enter Thursday tied for 10th place — and the final berth in the play-in tournament — in the East after the Knicks earned a 104-94 win over the visiting Indiana Pacers on Tuesday and the host Celtics fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 99-97, on Wednesday.

For the Knicks, the game Tuesday marked the sixth of 11 consecutive games against fellow sub-.500 foes. Of New York’s 15 games this month, 10 are against teams that began January with a losing record — and an 11th is against the Los Angeles Clippers,…

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