The Boston Celtics faced a disheartening defeat against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, blowing a 20-point second-half lead for the second consecutive game. The final score of 91-90 left the Celtics in a precarious 2-0 series deficit, as they dropped both home games in this playoff series. Here, we delve into the key takeaways from this nail-biting encounter.
Let's start with Jayson Tatum, who has had a troubling series. After receiving ample praise for his performance against the Orlando Magic, Tatum has been nearly invisible against the Knicks—a matchup that should favor a player with his skillset. In this latest game, he managed a dismal shooting performance of 5-for-19 from the field. Although he attempted fewer three-pointers, his shot selection included several questionable turnaround jumpers. Most critically, his turnover on the final possession sealed the Celtics' fate.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown fared little better, hitting just 8-for-23 from the field for 20 points. While he did manage to drive to the rim more effectively than Tatum, he compounded his struggles with six turnovers. The Celtics' three-point shooting was horrendous, a point we will explore further in this analysis.
Kristaps Porzingis showed signs of effectiveness during his limited 14 minutes on the court, contributing three offensive rebounds and eight points. However, the Celtics' offensive rhythm suffered as they frequently sought to get Porzingis involved, which disrupted their flow. The more troubling aspect is the Celtics' ability to build a significant lead against the Knicks without relying on three-pointers. In the game, they held a 16-point lead with just under nine minutes remaining, only to go silent offensively for over eight minutes, scoring a mere four free throws and a dunk from Tatum.
Boston's collective struggles in the fourth quarter are concerning, especially given that they had seemingly overcome such issues last season. While the 2-0 deficit is certainly daunting, it is not insurmountable, as the Celtics are statistically the stronger team. However, if the fourth quarters of Games 1 and 2 serve as a microcosm of the series, an early playoff exit becomes a distinct possibility.
The Celtics appeared to have a strategy to keep Knicks center Mitchell Robinson off the floor. However, their execution may have backfired. Late in the game, the Celtics committed back-to-back take fouls, inadvertently putting themselves in the bonus and allowing the Knicks to capitalize. Coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged Robinson’s effectiveness, stating, “He’s a +19, and he’s really effective for them.” But by forcing the Knicks to adjust, the Celtics may have lost an opportunity to regain momentum.
Porzingis’ situation remains perplexing. He addressed his performance post-game, stating, “I’m just not feeling my best.” His cryptic comments raise questions about whether his current struggles are related to previous health issues that caused him to miss games earlier in the season. Despite these challenges, he managed a commendable shooting performance, hitting 3-for-5 from the floor.
Defensively, the Celtics showed marked improvement compared to Game 1, limiting the Knicks to just 13 points in the first quarter and 20 in the third. However, this defensive success was overshadowed by their inability to capitalize offensively, particularly in crucial moments. Joe Mazzulla tracks the quarters in which opponents score fewer than 24 points, and while the Knicks averaged just 22.75 points per quarter, it was not enough to secure a victory.
To add to the night’s drama, TD Garden was evacuated after the game due to a fire alarm. The Celtics later confirmed that no injuries occurred and that the cause is under investigation. The alarm allowed Tatum to avoid media questions post-game, which may have been a relief after such a disappointing performance.
The Celtics’ three-point shooting woes persisted, as they shot 10-for-40 (25 percent) after a dismal 15-for-60 in Game 1. Statistically, they have underperformed their expected field-goal percentage by alarming margins, indicating a serious shooting slump. If the Celtics had merely matched their expected shooting percentages in these games, they could have scored significantly more points.
As the Celtics prepare for Game 3, the pressure to perform intensifies. They must avoid another loss and find a way to break their shooting slump, especially in the hostile environment of New York. “It should sting,” Brown noted. “Let it sting for the night. Then tomorrow’s a new day, we move forward.” The upcoming game is crucial for the Celtics if they wish to stay alive in the series.
With Game 3 set to tip off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Celtics must rally to turn the series around and defend their title aspirations.
