With the final stretch of the regular season in progress, the Boston Celtics are looking to defend their NBA title. Coming into the team’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, the Celtics were without star wing Jayson Tatum due to a shoulder injury.

Karl-Anthony Towns hit a 3-pointer over Derrick White’s outstretched hand on New York’s first possession of the final frame, cutting what had been a 27-point deficit down to four. But White punched right back with consecutive 3-pointers to seize back the momentum and set the stage for a 118-105 Celtics win.

New York is 0-7 this season against Boston, Cleveland and OKC, a problematic trend the Knicks are running out of time to solve.

Among the 106 players who have appeared in at least 45 games this season, White ranks second in the NBA in fourth-quarter 3-pointers, averaging 1 per game.

Derrick White said he has been playing with more joy lately, and it showed during the 4th quarter against the Knicks.

Derrick White played ... seconds into the fourth quarter, White responded with back-to-back threes of his own, sparking a 13-2 Celtics run from which New York never recovered.

Speaking to reporters after the win, head coach Joe Mazzulla said he believes that White is one of the best point guards in the entire NBA.

Built to compete with the Eastern Conference’s elite during the offseason, the New York Knicks are trying to still figure out how to break into the top group after the past two games.

The Boston Celtics are scorching hot at the moment as they have won nine of their last 10 contests. Coming off of a dominant 118-105 win over fellow Eastern Co

Jaylen Brown had 24 points and eight rebounds, and Derrick White finished with 19 points for Boston, which won its fifth straight and improved to 3-0 against the Knicks this season. Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with 24 points and Jalen Brunson had 22.

New York Knicks (37-19, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (40-16, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Sunday, 1 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Boston will try to build upon its four-game win streak with a victory over New York. The Celtics ...