The Boston Celtics have their backs against the wall when they host the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday.
After the Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit in the third quarter to win Game 1 on Monday 108-105 in overtime, the Celtics will try to avoid an 0-2 series hole before the scene shifts to New York for Game 3.
“This team is special,” New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns said. “Obviously (the Celtics are) the defending champions and they’re gonna come back hungrier and we need to play the next game at a higher level.”
Celtics starting center Kristaps Porzingis, who averaged 19.5 points per game during the regular season, didn’t play in the second half of Game 1. He returned to the locker room shortly after coming out for the second half with what the team called a non-COVID illness. Porzingis missed eight straight games in March because of a viral illness.
They may not have to miss Porzingis for long, as the injury report Tuesday listed him as probable for Game 2. Sam Hauser (right ankle sprain) is doubtful.
“KP is big for us,” Boston’s Jrue Holiday said. “Obviously so versatile, (a) person who can either play in the paint or stretch the floor. Protects the rim, protects the paint, blocks shots and we definitely miss him, but we’ve always had this next-man-up mentality.”
The Celtics were 15 of 60 from 3-point range in Game 1. The 45 missed 3-pointers were the most in an NBA playoff game.
Jayson Tatum was 4 of 15 from deep, Jaylen Brown was 1 of 10 and Derrick White finished 5 of 16. Boston missed 13 of its 15 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter.
“In those moments when the other team’s got momentum, we can’t just fire up 3s,” Brown said. “To break that momentum, you’ve got to get to the free-throw line, get to the paint, get to the basket, maybe get an easy two. And then, maybe, the next 3-pointer feels a little bit better. I feel like we just settled in the second half a lot.”
This is the first time Boston has trailed in an NBA series since the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.
“It stings,” Brown said. “We let our home crowd down. We’re looking forward to Game 2. In reality, you have to have a short memory. We have to throw it away and get ready for Game 2. We don’t have time to let stuff carry over. We’ll make adjustments and come ready to play.”
The Knicks left plenty of room for improvement as well. New York was 17 of 31 from the foul line. In addition, Towns and Jalen Brunson each played with foul trouble. Both players were called for three fouls in the first half. Towns picked up his fourth personal with 7:07 left in the third.
“It was a great team win,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We got into a hole, fought our way out and made big plays down the stretch. That’s huge for us. The important thing for us is to understand what it is. It’s one win and then (we have to) understand that we have to reset and get ready for Game 2.”
–Field Level Media
