If the rest of the Eastern Conference thought they wouldn’t have to worry about the Boston Celtics this year, they should think again.

The Celtics may not have Jayson Tatum , but they’re not messing around. If they’ve proven anything over the first six weeks of the season, it’s that they can still hang with the best teams in the East.

Boston proved that again on Tuesday, taking down the New York Knicks 123-117 at TD Garden. The Celtics overcame an early deficit and held off a late comeback, improving to 12-9 with their seventh win in their last nine games.

Boston has been especially good against the Eastern Conference lately, knocking off the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Knicks over the last 10 days. Its lone defeat during that stretch was a narrow roa

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