The Celtics seemed to get into the match better than in Milwaukee, but it only lasted one quarter. At the start of the match, the two teams went blow for blow. Until OG Anunoby recovered a poorly assured pass from Derrick White for Jaylen Brown (15 points) and finished with a dunk. It then gives New York a 6-point lead. But the Celtics came back thanks to shots behind the arc from Sam Hauser then from Al Horford at 45°. After twelve minutes, the Knicks are in front: 32-29.
This same Al Horford is forgiven for having been too gentle the first time with Josh Hart (16 points, 16 rebounds) in the paint, by preventing Miles McBride from going to the basket. He launches the counterattack himself, and finds Jayson Tatum (18 points at 1/7 at 3-points) for a big dunk. But Bojan Bogadnovic passes the second for the Knicks and he ends up in the circle with a “reverse” to give New York 7 points ahead. Shortly after, he sent a 3-pointer over the head of Derrick White in the corner. In the blink of an eye the lead is already +12.
Brunson's Awakening
The Celtics then continued losing the ball, missing 3-point shots… It's time for Jalen Brunson (39 points) to do it again. Until then quite discreet, he added a basket from afar with the fault. Then, at mid-distance, he gave the Knicks a 19-point lead just before halftime. The end of the second quarter is a slaughter with a 25-5. At the break, the Knicks lead 69-48!
The passage to the locker room did not resolve anything for the Celtics who kept the bricks on the hoop. Brunson then decides to give a private lesson. He shows the Celtics how to shoot facing the basket then at 45° off the dribble. And that’s a +26 for Big Apple players. Somehow, Boston came back to 17 points by playing close to the circle. But after Mitchell Robinson, it was Josh Hart who ended up under the basket with the fault. Before the end of the 3rd quarter, New York's lead increased to 31 points, and Joe Mazzulla was already opening his bench wide.
The Knicks are relaxing and the Celtics substitutes are showing much better things than the starters. Which is not to amuse Tom Thibodeau unlike the TD Garden. But the gap is too big for the Celtics to sign the “comeback” of the year, and the Knicks win 118-109.
What to remember
– Celtics bricks. The C's watered the TD Garden last night. Like against Milwaukee, Boston was stubborn behind the arc. The holders only made 5 3-point shots out of 24 attempts. Shooting 20% from wide was clearly insufficient for Boston to hope to win against the Knicks. Jayson Tatum made a series of missed shots in the 3rd quarter which destroyed any chances of coming back against Tom Thibodeau's men.
– The defensive intelligence of the Knicks. The Knicks not only have defenders capable of locking down opponents. But they also showed tonight how smart they can be too. Brunson still caused 3 strong passes and we can't count the number of times DiVincenzo tried to intercept a ball behind the Celtics' backs. On top of that, New York largely won the rebound battle.
– The hope of 2nd place. Brunson's teammates are just one win away from the Bucks in the fight for second place. With two games to play and Giannis Antetokounmpo who will not play either due to a calf injury, the Knicks intend to put pressure on Milwaukee until the end of the regular season. The picture is simple: the Knicks must win their last two matches, and count on two defeats for the Bucks. Not impossible, but complicated.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
