Celtics Don't Miss, Pound the Knicks

We got some important updates on OG Anunoby and Julius Randle…

Final Score: Knicks 102 - Celtics 116
Record: 34-23

The Celtics, who entered the night riding a seven-game winning streak, made nine of their first 11 three-pointers in the second half and ended the third quarter shooting above 72% from the field. 

Early in the final frame, ABC posted a graphic noting that Boston had a chance to become just the second team in the history of the NBA to shoot over 70% for an entire game. Midway through the final frame, Mike Breen stated that the C's had "cooled off" because their FG percentage had dipped to "only" 62%.

So, yeah, it was that kind of night at MSG. It's a make-or-miss league, and those guys in green weren't missing. 

The Celtics have been the best team in the NBA all season by a rather significant margin. At 45-12, they are now eight games ahead of the second seed in the East. Boston is on pace to finish 2023-24 as one of the most efficient and effective offensive teams in league history, as they are currently sporting a league-leading OffRtg north of 121. 

It was a humbling reminder for the Knicks that defeating Boston in a seven-game series would require dramatically improved execution on both ends of the floor. However, it's also important to note that the Knicks were missing their entire starting frontline. Having Mitchell Robinson on the floor would enable New York to do a much better job protecting the paint. Julius Randle playing bully ball would force the Celtics' forwards to work on the defensive end. And OG Anunoby would arguably be the most impactful of the Knicks injured trio vs. Boston, as he'd be matched up against Jayson Tatum and/or Jaylen Brown. 

Still, despite NY missing their starting frontcourt, the home team was within single digits in the final quarter, mainly because Jalen Brunson once again was outstanding offensively and gave New York a puncher's chance. Brunson tallied a game-high 34 points, three rebounds, a game-high nine assists, a steal and four three-pointers in 38 minutes, while shooting 12-of-25 from the floor, 4-of-9 from downtown and 6-of-6 from the free-throw stripe. 

With the rest of his short-handed team struggling, Brunson almost single-handedly kept New York within striking distance Saturday night. Yet, despite his phenomenal individual effort, this is what he told reporters after the game: "I gotta be better, plain and simple, from a vocal leader standpoint to not turning the ball over, to being a better decision-maker."

His lack of ego and insistence on taking responsibility is one of the many reasons why Knicks fans have fallen in love with their PG.