Celtics’ Depth Shines, Knicks Left Searching
It was a tough pill to swallow for the Knicks as they got outplayed on essentially all ends of the ball Saturday evening against the Celtics. The problem the whole game was slowing down superstar Jayson Tatum who finished with 40 points and seven threes. This is a game where the Knicks very much needed the defensive prowess of O.G Anunoby to help soften the blow and give us the answer we so desperately needed for Tatum. However, this is by no means a game where we can shift the blame to injuries. The Celtics were missing two crucial pieces in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, so simply put this game had to be closer.
Jalen Brunson was the only bright spot for the Knicks tonight as he put up a 36-point performance himself but there was only so much he could do as scoring was scarce elsewhere. It felt like the Knicks came into this game soft and lacked the intensity they are normally equipped with. The Celtics were coming off a game in which they lost to the Dallas Mavericks so I believe they came into the garden hungry and ready to prove themselves. This was a chance for New York to get retribution for the first game of the season and the result was unfortunate, to say the least.
Where do the Knicks go from here? They can show exquisite play against every juggernaut from the West but if they can’t figure out how to get past Boston come April-June it won't matter. There was a time in this game when the Knicks cut the lead to just three points and that right there was proof, they can hang with this team. I think having Mitchell Robinson and Anunoby back to slow down their offense will also be a great aid in making things competitive. Beating the Celtics in a seven-game series is something no team was able to do last season, but I think the Knicks are the best-equipped team to do so if they establish a more organized and well-rounded defensive unit.
