The New York Knicks look for a commanding 3-0 lead, but it’s easier said than done against the defending champion Boston Celtics.
Catch the game tomorrow at 3:30 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Boston Celtics (0-2)
Projected starting five:
- Jrue Holiday
- Derrick White
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Kristaps Porzingis (day-to-day) / Al Horford
Morale isn’t at the highest in the Celtics locker room right now. They just choked 20-point leads in consecutive games–at home, no less–and have only shot 25-of-100 from three, the worst in a two-game stretch in NBA playoff history.
As concerning as all that is, the good majority know that this squad is the defending champs and a back-to-back 60-win team for a reason, and that winning this Game 3 is perhaps all they need to get back in the series. Note that they went 33-8 on the road in the regular season, which is one of the best all-time.
Though laying yet another egg isn’t obviously out of the equation, expect an ultra-focused Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White on offense. Tatum, in particular, could be due for a big game as he was quiet in Game 1 and horrific in Game 2, and there’s just no way but up. The putrid 1-of-12 shooting in the two 4th Quarters this series is a huge question mark, but if he’s as good as we’ve seen him in the past, this game is where he’ll recover. Brown (21.0 PPG in the series) and White (19.0 PPG in the series) should be right there with him. Watch out for Sixth Man of The Year Payton Pritchard too.
HOME: New York Knicks (2-0)
Projected starting five:
- Jalen Brunson
- OG Anunoby
- Josh Hart
- Mikal Bridges
- Karl-Anthony Towns
Of course, the Knicks are on the opposite side of the morale spectrum. They are ready to pounce for more and feed off the raucous Knick fanbase. The team showed enormous heart while facing a huge deficit in enemy territory, and came out on top: TWICE.
The hope now is to remember that it’s first to four, not two. Also, while it’s exciting to see them play in front of the rabid New York crowd following their classic efforts in Games 1 and 2, keep in mind that they lost two home games to the young Detroit Pistons in the first round – we can only imagine how much trouble is in store against the Celtics, who, as mentioned, were absolute road warriors this season.
Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges have both been phenomenal in the clutch, but they’ve been inefficient, shooting just 35.7% and 29.0% in the series thus far, respectively. They need to be better as it’s been the reason why the team got into two 20-point holes. Other starters Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart have all been solid, so we’ll see if they can carry it further.
PICKS:
Spread: Celtics (-6)
Over/Under: Over (207.5)
