**Barkley Picks Celtics Over Knicks in Playoff Showdown**
Charles Barkley Predicts Celtics Will Prevail Over Knicks in Long-Awaited Playoff Clash Charles Barkley names his NBA champion For the first time since 1984, the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks will square off in a postseason series beyond the opening round—an overdue showdown between two of the NBA's most storied franchises. Game 1 tips off Monday, reigniting a rivalry that’s simmered beneath the surface for decades. This latest iteration of the Knicks was built with one clear target: beat the Celtics. After falling short last season, New York’s front office went all-in, acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges in a bold attempt to dethrone the reigning champs. But the Knicks have struggled to fully realize the potential of their revamped roster, falling short of expectations despite the added star power. Jalen Brunson, New York’s steady floor general, knows the odds are stacked against his team. And he’s fine with that. “I’ve been an underdog my whole career,” Bruns...