NBA Playoffs Celtics vs Knicks Game 2: Knicks Drop Another 20-Point Comeback against Celtics to Go 2-0 Heading to MSG

New York Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit for the second straight game to beat the Boston Celtics 91-90 for a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. In previous game, New York delivered the same performance to beat the defending champions in overtime. It’s a major setback for the Celtics ahead of crucial two-game road trip to MSG.

Josh Hart scored a team-high 23 points for the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns dropped 21 points and a playoff career-high 17 rebounds. Mikel Bridges and Jalen Brunson recorded in double figures. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White led Boston with 20 points each. Jayson Tatum recorded 13 points and 14 rebounds.

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Boston Celtics’ 3-Point Shooting Struggle Haunt Them in the Series

Boston Celtics missed 45 3-pointers in the opening game and set a NBA playoff record for most missed threes. The defending champions didn’t improved their mistakes. The Celtics were 10 for 40 from 3-point range after going 15 for 60 in Game 1. It has been a remarkable downfall for the Celtics in shooting.

Mikel Bridges was the major difference in the fourth quarter. He scored all of his 14 points in the final quarter and his clutch play in final seconds denied Jayson Tatum any potential chance of victory. Jalen Brunson made two free throws with 12.7 seconds left to help New York take a one-point lead.

Tatum had another tough night for the Celtics as he managed only 13 points on 5-for-19 shooting. During the fourth quarter, he went more than eight minutes without a field goal. The Celtics missed 13 straight shots during the stretch. They went 24-for-54 from 2-point range in Game 2.

Boston held a 50-41 lead at half time and they stretched their lead to 20 points after using a 16-6 run. New York reduced the deficit to 86-85 through Hart’s floater and Towns’ three-point play. The Knicks outscored the Celtics 30-17 in the final quarter to script another comeback in the series.

The road teams who had a 2-0 lead in the playoff series have won 17 out of 21 in the postseason history. Teams who won first two games in the playoff series, have won 93% of the series. The Knicks are two wins away to knock the defending champions out of the conference semifinals.

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