NEW YORK — At least the Celtics enter Monday night’s challenge against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden feeling better about themselves, an improvement over a week ago, when the Kings embarrassed them with seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Who would have believed that six days later, the Celtics would hold a team to seven field goals in a half, as they did Saturday night against the Hawks at Philips Arena? Who would have thought the Celtics would be able to so dominate a game defensively, as they also did Friday against the Pacers?