NEW YORK — It’s safe to say that there weren’t many who genuinely believed that the New York Knicks could capitalize on the Boston Celtics being on shaky ground and land a decisive blow following their two remarkable comeback victories on the road.
The Celtics, however, orchestrated their own drama, luring the Knicks into a web of false expectations—whispers of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd suddenly making everything feel achievable for the home side.
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The situation has reached a slightly frustrating juncture. The defending champion Celtics, it appears, thrive on complicating their own journey toward a repeat title, as if the struggle itself invigorates them.
They’re like thrill-seekers, ever eager for the next adventure: “And with our next great move, watch us silence 20,000 jubilant New Yorkers in one fell swoop!”
In just 20 minutes of real time, it became crystal clear how serious the Celtics were about seizing control of this second-round series, showcasing their previous folly in Boston’s familiar realm.
There would be no third instance of a 20-point lead mysteriously evaporating. Instead, the Celtics handily bested the Knicks, clinching a 115-93 victory Saturday afternoon.
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Despite this impressive display of dominance cementing their identity in the series, the Celtics still find themselves down 2-1 and in dire need of a win come Monday night. A failure to do so would mean imminent elimination and the ignominy of being the third straight defending champion to exit in the second round.
However, deep down, few would bet against the Celtics; if they play with even a modicum of focus, victory seems inevitable. With a staggering 20 three-pointers made compared to the Knicks’ mere five, they stifled any hopes of a rhythm for Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, while Payton Pritchard exploded off the bench, draining five threes and leading the squad with an impressive 23 points.
The Celtics’ Jayson Tatum shoots over the Knicks’ Mikal Bridges during the second half of Game 3 Saturday in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
In essence, this was a textbook example of a Celtics playoff performance on the road, which left Knicks fans feeling dejected and stifled.
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“It’s the playoffs; every game brings a new narrative,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum shared. “I’ve reiterated at length the importance of not riding the emotional roller coaster that comes with wins or losses. We’ve faced countless games and series together.”
“Home court is vital, and the support from our fans means everything to us. Still, to be truly great, we must clinch important games on the road—and more than anything, it comes down to how we respond.”
This latest arc highlights the Celtics’ earlier struggles to maintain leads as the Knicks aggressively chased them down in the closing moments of Games 1 and 2, where Boston’s offense faltered, becoming far too reliant on the three-point shot.
With a fourth-quarter shooting performance of just 20% from the field and 15% from beyond the arc in those earlier games, this ineffectiveness is bound to draw scrutiny.
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The Celtics weren’t about to reinvent themselves overnight.
Sticking to their game plan, they attempted 40 three-pointers in Game 3 and even sent Knicks backup center Mitchell Robinson to the line via intentional fouls, perhaps frustrating him with each missed attempt (4-of-12), heightening the tension among the crowd.
And their cohesiveness on defense thwarted any chances of a Knicks resurgence—no comebacks were to take place, not even in the third nor second quarters. They strutted into halftime with a 25-point lead, suffocating the Knicks’ spirit.
Perhaps Coach Joe Mazzulla’s unique mindset over the days leading up to the game contributed to their performance.
“You’ve got to explore the darker aspects,” Mazzulla remarked solemnly. “It’s essential.”
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“We faced a significant challenge, and alongside this group, I wouldn’t want to go through it with anyone else. This is the exhilarating part.”
With just eight turnovers logged, the Celtics appeared to demonstrate that their only path to defeat this series—and likely in any playoff scenario—would stem from self-inflicted wounds.
“You have to defeat us four times; that’s the reality,” Celtics guard Jaylen Brown noted. “Not once, not twice, not three—it’s four games. There’s still a lot of basketball to be played.”
Even though Brown didn’t have the most efficient night, shooting 7 of 18, he displayed aggression driving to the hoop, wrapping up the game with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Tatum had a relatively strong outing from three-point territory, sinking 5 of 9 on his way to 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Nevertheless, he faced difficulty scoring in the paint against the towering Towns and Robinson.
Theoretically, he should be able to outpace them and induce a more favorable matchup, but thus far, he hasn’t capitalized on this advantage; for his standards, more is expected—even if his current performance sufficed for the night.
As Tatum stepped onto the court, he had undertaken 45 playoff games under Mazzulla’s leadership, typically averaging around 20 shot attempts per game, predominantly from beyond the arc.
During this time, Tatum has unleashed the most three-point attempts (355), but only LeBron James (30%) has recorded a lower shooting percentage from that range, with Tatum currently sitting at 30.7%.
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This “let-it-fly” methodology has yet to prove optimal for Tatum, and he faces scrutiny for moments where his performance doesn’t align with lofty expectations.
“You grasp… the responsibilities that come with being ‘that guy,’” Tatum reflected. “I receive my share of praise and accolades. But I’m not infallible; there are instances where I need to elevate my game. That’s the territory that comes with this role.”
“It’s not just me facing criticism. Many predecessors have gone through the same scrutiny and many more will come after.”
Tatum bears the weight of such expectations—an inevitable part of his journey as a champion striving to be a prominent face of the NBA, aiming to leave an indelible mark on this postseason.
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Though Boston possesses a wealth of talent, they too are navigating their share of injuries this season. Kristaps Porziņģis grapples with ongoing issues, while Jrue Holiday has been nursing a hamstring injury.
More will be expected from Tatum moving forward. This game won’t suffice.
“For me, it’s about embracing the joy of playing,” Tatum said. “Coming into a game with an angry face and a chip on my shoulder isn’t my style. I have to maintain my essence, whether we’re riding high or facing tough times.”
It’s evident that the Celtics won’t be altering their core identity any time soon, nor will they grant much credence to even the most valid criticism. Staying true to themselves should be adequate to triumph over the Knicks in the long run, and they’re banking on it holding strong as the competition intensifies.
