Download the NBA App to stay updated with the 2025 NBA playoffs schedule, including brackets and complete coverage. In a surprising turn of events during the playoffs, the Boston Celtics managed to secure a decisive victory against the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. The Celtics overcame a 20-point deficit, a feat that typically guarantees a win. This time, they maintained their lead, finishing the game with a score of 115-93 and narrowing the Knicks' series lead to 2-1.
The defending champions demonstrated their prowess by capitalizing on favorable matchups. The Celtics exploited the Knicks' weaker defenders, generating open shots that they finally converted. In this game, five Celtics scored a minimum of 15 points, with Payton Pritchard leading the pack off the bench with an impressive 23 points. This victory marked the Celtics' fifth consecutive win at Madison Square Garden, showcasing their dominance as road teams improved to 6-0 in the ongoing Eastern Conference semifinals.
After a lackluster performance in Games 1 and 2, where their offense struggled to score efficiently, the Celtics returned to form in Game 3. They registered 115 points on just 89 possessions, marking their most efficient playoff performance to date. A significant factor in their success was their improvement in three-point shooting; the Celtics shot 12-for-19 (63%) on wide-open 3-pointers, a stark contrast to their 25% performance in the previous games. Coach Joe Mazzulla attributed the Celtics’ ability to maintain their lead not just to shooting, but also to valuing possessions and strong rebounding.
This playoff series has been a battle between a top-five offense and a top-five defense. The Celtics’ defense has effectively limited the Knicks’ scoring, holding them to just 101.4 points per 100 possessions over the three games. The Knicks struggled particularly with their shooting inside, managing only 50% accuracy in the paint, which is significantly below the league average of 57.1%. The Celtics displayed remarkable rim protection, recording eight blocks from five different players during the game, significantly contributing to their defensive success.
Despite their impressive comeback abilities, the Knicks need to address their slow starts if they hope to win this series. In the last two first quarters, they fell behind by a total of 27 points, scoring just 58 points on 72 possessions (0.81 points per possession). Jalen Brunson emphasized the need for a more urgent approach in the first half, stating, “We cannot play catch-up with a team like this.” The Knicks' starting lineup has underperformed, being outscored by 29 points in their minutes on the court.
The Celtics showcased a mix of offensive brilliance and decision-making inconsistency during the game. Notably, their strategy involved utilizing ball screens for Jayson Tatum. In one instance, Tatum turned the ball over instead of passing to an open teammate. However, on the following possession, he made the correct decision, assisting Al Horford for a wide-open three-pointer. This inconsistency highlights the Celtics’ need to make the right plays consistently for optimal results.
The Celtics excelled in transition, scoring 20 points in fast breaks during Game 3—an impressive total for the series. Their offense thrives on exploiting mismatches, especially in transition. Coach Mazzulla praised the team’s ability to dictate tempo by quickly establishing spacing, which allows for better offensive reads. As the Celtics continue to find their rhythm, they must maintain this level of performance to overcome the Knicks and even the series.
With the Celtics trailing the series 2-1, they now look forward to Game 4 on Monday at 7:30 ET on ESPN, where they will seek to level the series. The battle between these two teams continues to be an exciting showcase of talent and strategy in the NBA playoffs.
