In a dramatic Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Boston Celtics suffered a heart-wrenching loss to the New York Knicks, falling 108-105 in overtime at TD Garden. The Celtics struggled significantly with their three-point shooting, setting a playoff record with 45 missed attempts, which ultimately contributed to the defeat.
Despite the setback, historical trends suggest that Celtics fans can remain optimistic about the team’s chances of bouncing back in Game 2 on Wednesday night. The Celtics have not only won all four playoff games following a loss since last season but have done so with an impressive average margin of victory of 15 points. Additionally, during this postseason, they won their previous bounce-back game against the Orlando Magic.
Notably, the Celtics faced a similar situation recently when they lost Game 1 of the conference semifinals in 2022 against the Milwaukee Bucks and in 2023 against the Philadelphia 76ers; in both instances, they responded with a strong Game 2 performance, ultimately prevailing in both series.
Statistically, the Celtics hold an advantageous 21-10 record in Game 2 of conference semifinal series, boasting a 16-4 record when playing at home. In contrast, the Knicks have struggled historically in Game 2 on the road, having a 6-20 all-time record and experiencing five consecutive losses in such matchups.
While the Celtics missed numerous open shots and faced a solid Knicks team that converted 45.9% of their three-point attempts, their narrow overtime loss indicates they can compete. The upcoming game is crucial, as a loss would complicate their playoff journey significantly; historically, the Celtics have won only once in four instances of losing the first two games of a playoff series at home.
With confidence bolstered by their history and the dynamics of the past performance, the Celtics have a strong chance to reclaim momentum in Game 2, aiming for a quick recovery from their Game 1 disappointment. The focus will be on executing better offensively and converting more of those open shots to tilt the series in their favor.