By Andrew Rosario
When the New York Knicks took out the Indiana Pacers this past Tuesday night, it began a stretch of 7 home games over their next 10 Games. Last night, at the World’s Most Famous Arena, they began a home and home series against the Boston Celtics. The same Celtics who had won 2 of their last 3 games. Right from the start, Boston sent a message to the Knicks that wanted to continue their winning ways.
Boston took advantage of a slow Knicks start, jumping out to an early 12-3 lead. Celtics Jaylen Brown hits 2 free throws extending the lead to 14-6. By the end of the first quarter, New York trailed 25-18. The second quarter would only get worse.
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The Knicks missed their first 10 shots in the second quarter before Julius Randle hits a jump shot with 4:48 left. By that time, the Celtics had gone up 51-30. New York’s shooting woes continued and when the first half ended, they looked up at the score board and saw they were down 63-47. Not knowing if they received a tongue lashing from second year head coach Tom Thibodeau or if it was something in the water they used for hydration but by games end, the New York Knicks pulled off one of their most improbable victories in the team’s recent history.
As the Knicks couldn’t find the basket in the first half, the ineptness found the Celtics as they missed their first 8 shots to start the third quarter. When Dennis Schroeder made 1 of two free throws, the lead was still in double digits at 82-67. Scratching and clawing their way back, New York outscored Boston 16-3 to end the third quarter narrowing the lead to 84-77. Then the fun began.
At the start of the 4th quarter, the Knicks outscored Boston 8-3 to cut the lead to 2 (87-85) after a Evan Fournier bucket. The Celtics composed themselves behind baskets by Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum to extend the lead to 96-92.
Randall and Fournier scored the next 4 points to tie the game at 96. Neither team would for more than the next 2 minutes before free throws by Tatum have Boston a 2 point lead. The red hot Fournier gave the Knicks a brief 1 point lead (99-98) nailing a three pointer. Tatum responds with another jumper and adds the next 3 points to give the Celtics a two point lead (101-99) with 1:46 left.
The Knicks go up 104-101 after a basket and free throws by Mitchell Robinson, lmmanuel Quickly and Barrett. Free throws by Smart got them within 1. Randall makes 2 free throws giving them a 2 point (105-103) lead when Tatum ties the game with a jumper with 2.2 seconds left.
New York calls a time out inbounding the ball with 1.5 seconds left. Barrett gets the ball, takes one dribble and heaves his left-handed shot over Tatum that bangs in off the backboard for the game winning shot as the home crowd erupted.
Barrett was having a mediocre game before sending the team home with the win. At one point the Knicks trailed by as many as 25. “It was a tough shot,” he said after. “Every time l shoot, l think it’s going in.”
Evan Fournier scored a career high 41 points and scored 30 or more points against his former team for the third time. Asked why he has played so well against his former team he said, “maybe there’s a little extra motivation. It’s not something l do on purpose. I don’t wake up thinking ok it’s the Celtics (and) I have to play better. I think it’s natural.”
Both teams meet Saturday night in Boston. Fournier could be the first player in NBA history to score 30 or more points in 4 games against his former team.
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