(Betting Express) - Celtics newcomer Nate Robinson will welcome his former employer to Boston this evening, when the New York Knicks pay a visit to TD Garden in a showdown between Atlantic Division rivals.

Robinson was acquired by Boston before the trade deadline, but hasn't suited up with his new teammates because of flu-like symptoms. The first ever three- time Slam Dunk champion, who hasn't played since February 9, averaged 13.2 points in 30 contests with the Knicks this season. He is listed as probable for the Celtics, who will kick off a three-game homestand Tuesday versus the Knicks, Cavs and Nets, and are 15-9 in Beantown this season.

Boston had a three-game winning streak stopped in Sunday's 114-105 setback at Denver in the finale of a five-game road trip which produced three victories. Ray Allen led the Celtics with 25 points, while Rajon Rondo added 15 points and 11 assists. Kevin Garnett netted 15 points and Paul Pierce had just five on 2-of-10 shooting in defeat.

"It's difficult to get down by 20 and come back against one of the top teams," said Pierce, who is questionable versus New York with a sore thumb.

Marquis Daniels also scored 15 points for Boston, which battled back to tie the game at 66-66 with 4:57 remaining in the third quarter before eventually losing for just the third time in nine games this month. The Celtics are currently third in the East standings, just 1 1/2 games behind Orlando.

Meanwhile, the Knicks will bring their seven-game losing streak on the road to Boston and Washington, and are 7-17 away from Madison Square Garden this season. Even with Tracy McGrady on the roster New York can't seem to catch a break and recently suffered an 83-67 defeat at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday in the finale of a three-game homestand.

McGrady, in his second game in a Knicks uniform, scored a team-high 15 points and was noticeably limping in the fourth quarter. He didn't play over the final 3 1/2 minutes and is listed as questionable for tonight. McGrady has played in only eight games this season following knee surgery.

"In the first half I knocked knees with somebody," McGrady said. "I'll do necessary treatment and do some tomorrow when I get up and we'll see how it feels before the game (at Boston)."

New York shot 33.8 percent from the floor and scored a grand total of 26 points over the final 24 minutes en route to its lowest scoring output of the season. Former Celtic Eddie House had 10 points and joined the Knicks prior to last week's trade deadline.

Boston defeated New York, 107-105, in overtime back on November 22 in the Big Apple and has won 18 of the past 22 meetings between the historic clubs. The Knicks are winless in their last five trips to the New England area.