Stephen A. Smith Cites Clear Reason For Knicks, Celtics Prediction Before Playoffs

The New York Knicks are gearing up for their first-round series against the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Playoffs.

They finished 51-31 on the season, good enough for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Some Knicks fans feel that just a one-win improvement over last season's record wasn't worth trading the depth they had for Karl-Anthony Towns.

However, it's still the most wins the Knicks have had in a season since they won 54 games in  2012-13.

Stephen A. Smith predicts Knicks vs Celtics

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith is known for his devout fandom for the Knicks.

Perhaps his most remembered moment was when he ranted against them for selecting Kristaps Porzingis. 

Now, Porzingis is on the Boston Celtics, whom he predicts the Knicks could push to seven games if both teams make the second round.

"It's going to take them seven to take out Detroit and then they'll push the Boston Celtics to seven games," Smith said. "I can pray dammit. ... I have no basketball reason to justify that take. It's just me as a fan."

"I believe that the gut, the grit that I think they've been lacking compared to last year's team, they find that after surviving against Detroit. They find that for the Boston series."