This game has played out as expected so far. It was always going to be almost impossible to win this game. Celtics were due, their season is on the line, the Knicks maybe not in the right frame of mind. Many reasons today was going to be a long game for the Knicks. You cannot be competitive being outrebounded 19-12 (8 O bounds for Boston already), plus the Knicks are 4-11 from the FT line, and they're shooting 36% overall, 1-9 from 3P range. This series will be decided by game 4, I felt that way since they won game 2. I expect the Knicks to play their best game of the series in game 4, and the Celts to come down a bit from today. Game 4 is the game, and the Knicks will play really well I feel.
You can't keep chasing the game constantly in every single game. Thibs needs to make a change in the starting lineup for the next game.
I see it differently, and I'm truthfully not sweating today's game at all. Just like the Cavs and Pacers, this game was going to be rough. The Celts hitting everything was due to happen after games 1 & 2. The Knicks also haven't made anything. They are 2-17 from 3P range (11.8%) and shooting 40.4% overall. The Celts are 15-29 from 3P range and shooting 50.8% overall. This was all due to happen. On top of that, all you'll get now until Monday night is the Knicks are done, Boston cannot lose, it's over, etc. The Knicks should hear every word of it the next couple of days and use it. Today was expected by me, maybe that's why I am not sweating it. The Celtics weren't getting swept and weren't going to rollover, they are a top team in the NBA (maybe the top team). This series will be all about game 4. I'm not saying the Knicks will win game 4, I am saying they will play much better, the Celts won't hit everything, and we'll see who wins. The team that wins game 4 will win the series.
And the Knicks big men staying out of foul trouble and making their FT's would be nice a well. Tibs needs to be smart with Robinson, like in game 2. Play him so the Celts waste fouls until the penalty. Then you have to play him less, so he doesn't miss FT after FT, which is in his head now. Celts now 16-30 from 3P range, that is not sustainable over games. Brunson is due for a big efficient game, Towns did not play well today and was in foul trouble again, OG hasn't shown up in games 2 or 3 (he is due), Bridges didn't do much in games 2 or 3 outside of 1 quarter. Hart has been very invisible. A lot of Knicks due for a good game 4. Do not panic, be ready to play from the start. Game 4 is a new day.
Thinking it was highly doubtful the Knicks could win this game, I'm happy they get beaten badly rather than by a few points. I would say, losing the way the Knicks did is better than a close frustrating loss. This kind of L should get their attention you'd think. If the Celtics, or any team, shoots 50% from 3PT range on 40 shots, 20-40, they are going to win. It's made even worse when the Knicks shoot 20% from 3PT range, 5-25 (that's worse than the Celts in games 1 & 2). If that continues in game 4, the Knicks will lose. My head says the Celts will shoot at least a little worse, and the Knicks will shoot at least a little better. Headlines I'm seeing: Celtics demolish the Knicks; Celtics trash the Knicks; Celtics thrash the Knicks. Pretty strong words, one would think the Knicks will read those words and use them in game 4. Maybe the Knicks simply aren't good enough and still lose game 4, certainly possible, but win or lose I feel confident we are going to see a much better performance and the Knicks best game of the series in game 4. You take what you can from this game, including some extra motivation, and you flush it and move onto game 4. Every single Knick fan would have signed up for a 2-1 series lead after 3 games, with game 4 at MSG. That's the spot we are in, now go play your best game in game 4 and let the chips fall where they may, but if we play a very good game, we will have a fair chance to win I feel.
