Ready for a second Celtics test, the Knicks say, “We owe them one.”

With a three-game winning streak under their belts and another back-to-back to manage physically, the Knicks head to arguably the most difficult venue in the Eastern Conference.

Julius Randle declared, “We owe ’em one,” in reference to Monday night’s game in Boston. But they make a fantastic team. It’s going to be a battle, so we have to prepare, recover [Sunday night], and put in our best effort.

Kristaps Porzingis ignited and the Knicks (5-4) lost the season opener at home to the Celtics despite their impressive victory over the Hornets on Sunday afternoon at MSG, 129-107. The Knicks’ offense faltered late in the game.

The Knicks will play the 7-2 Celtics for the fourth time, counting the preseason. In their last two games, the Celtics destroyed the Nets and Raptors, two other Atlantic Division teams.

“Very important game,” stated RJ Barrett.

Jalen Brunson said Monday’s matchup will help “show us where we are as a team.” He is looking for improvement after shooting a disappointing 6-for-21 in the season opener.

“Be better,” he said. “Everywhere. Just play well, plain and simple.

”It’s the first of a five-game road trip for the Knicks, who, by the end, will have played nine of their opening 14 games away from home.

After Monday, they’ll have already played three back-to-back sets.

“The games keep coming.

So you can’t exhale.

You can’t relax,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.

“You can’t let your guard down. We’re being tested in a really good way. I like that our schedule is tough and has been tough.

It tells us exactly where we are, tells us exactly what we have to work on. And if we’re doing the right things, the results will end up being good.”

persistent believer that he can do more offensively, Mitchell Robinson got a post-up opportunity Sunday and … converted an and-1.

Well, at least part of the and-1.

He’s been begging for those, man,” said Julius Randle, who assisted on the play in the second quarter. “He might get a couple more now.

It looked good. It looked good. He got the and-1, he’s gotta make his f–king free throws, though.”

Randle put up another strong performance with 23 points and five assists on 8 of 16 shooting, obviously feeling better after dealing with ankle pain early in the season.

“I scratch out the beginning of this season,” declared Randle, who was reportedly playing at roughly 70% of his potential in the first few games as he recovered from arthroscopic surgery performed in the offseason.

“I play efficient basketball because, when I look at my numbers when I get rim attempts, I’m above league average.

I have stated since the start of the year that my goal is to play basketball with greater efficiency.

There will be moments when you want to go into the middle range, when you want to play loud 3s, or whatever.

To be sure, there is a deliberate attempt to go downhill.

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