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After grinding out a six-game series win over the Detroit Pistons, the New York Knicks now face a tall task in the second round \u2014 a matchup against the reigning champion Boston Celtics<\/a>, a team they failed to beat in all four regular-season meetings.<\/p>\n But former Celtics champ Kendrick Perkins believes New York has a real shot at the upset \u2014 as long as Karl-Anthony Towns shows up in a big way.<\/p>\n Towns had an up-and-down series against Detroit. In New York\u2019s four wins, he put up 22.8 points and 10.8 rebounds while shooting 53%. In their two losses, however, he managed just 13.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg on 33% shooting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2022 <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n \u201cWe know what Jalen Brunson is going to bring to the table,\u201d Perkins said Friday. \u201cThe Knicks have a legit shot of going out there and beating the Boston Celtics if Karl-Anthony Towns decides to stand on business.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cBecause what I just saw in this last series \u2014 that ain’t gonna cut the mustard. That’s not gonna cut it.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Perkins added that if Towns simply meets his season averages, it could swing the series in New York\u2019s favor. Towns averaged 24.4 ppg and 12.8 rpg over 72 regular-season games.<\/p>\n \u201cI strongly believe that he’s the most important piece and the most important player in this series,\u201d Perkins added. \u201cHe should go out there and he should want to dominate against Kristaps Porzingis. If he could do that, I think the Knicks pull it off.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n In the four regular-season losses to Boston, the Knicks were outscored by an average of 23, 27, 13 and two points, respectively.<\/p>\n The Celtics cruised past the Orlando Magic in five games to open the playoffs \u2014 but they weren\u2019t at full strength, with Jayson Tatum<\/a> and Jrue Holiday nursing injuries. Kendrick Perkins thinks those issues could be more costly against New York.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Celtics are vulnerable right now because of the injuries,\u201d he said. \u201cWe don’t know what’s going on with Jrue Holiday. Obviously, he’s not healthy. Jayson Tatum (is) dealing with the wrist injury, but he’s still balling. And then you have Jaylen Brown dealing with the knee issue.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cPerfect opportunity for the New York Knicks.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Knicks haven\u2019t been fully healthy either \u2014 both Jalen Brunson<\/a> and Josh Hart tweaked their ankles during the postseason \u2014 but they\u2019ve stayed active so far.<\/p>\n Game 1 of the Knicks-Celtics series tips off Sunday.<\/p>\n![\"march](\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/march-madness-logo.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n<\/div>\nKendrick Perkins sees opportunity for Knicks, calls Celtics \u2018vulnerable\u2019 due to lingering injuries<\/h2>\n