The rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics has become increasingly one-sided this season, as evidenced by the Celtics’ commanding 118-105 victory at TD Garden on Sunday. This win marks the Celtics’ third consecutive triumph over the Knicks this season, with an average margin of victory of 21 points across their matchups.
The game started with Boston taking a decisive lead, going up by as much as 27 points. Although the Knicks made a brief resurgence in the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics 39-25, it was not enough to close the gap. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with impressive performances, Tatum nearly achieving a triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Brown added 24 points and 8 rebounds.
The Knicks, who made significant roster changes in the offseason by acquiring Karl Anthony-Towns and Mikal Bridges, struggled to make an impact against the Celtics. Towns finished the game with 14 points and 8 rebounds, but his overall performance was lackluster as he accounted for just 10 points and 10 rebounds in the other three quarters. Bridges, who was brought in at a high cost, recorded only 14 points and ended the game with a plus/minus rating of -23.
Boston’s defense demonstrated its strength, allowing the Celtics to shoot 72% in the paint, with several players contributing to their success, including Kristaps Porzingis with 15 points and Derrick White, who contributed 19 points along with 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Jrue Holiday also had a notable impact, not just on the scoreboard with 14 points, but on defense, effectively guarding players across the Knicks’ roster.
Historically, the Celtics have dominated the Knicks, winning seven of their last eight meetings dating back to last season. As the Celtics continue to look strong, with five consecutive wins and a solid record, they have established a critical four-game lead over the Knicks for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Despite the disparity in performances, Brown commented on the teams’ rivalry, emphasizing that they were not trying to send a message but simply focused on improving their play as they approach the playoffs. The two teams will meet again for their final regular-season game on April 8 at Madison Square Garden, as both vie for playoff positioning.
In conclusion, while the Knicks have the potential to make an impact, they will need to find a way to match the Celtics’ prowess if they hope to challenge them in the postseason. The future meetings will be essential for both teams as they prepare for what is shaping up to be an exciting playoff race.