Knicks Dominate Celtics in Convincing Victory
On Sunday afternoon, the New York Knicks showcased a dominant performance against the Boston Celtics, securing a convincing 111-89 victory. This result halted the Celtics’ five-game winning streak.
Key Performers
Jalen Brunson was pivotal for the Knicks, scoring an impressive 31 points, while Josh Hart contributed significantly with 19 points. The Knicks held the upper hand for the majority of the game, not falling behind for 42 consecutive minutes.
Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges and Jose Alvarado chipped in with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Celtics’ Struggles
The Celtics’ offense struggled throughout the game, finishing with a shooting percentage of just 37%, including a dismal 17% from beyond the arc (7-of-41). Jaylen Brown managed to lead Boston in scoring with 26 points, supported by Derrick White with 19.
Baylor Scheierman filled in for the injured Sam Hauser, recording a commendable 10 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. Despite entering the matchup with a slight lead over New York for the second position in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics were unable to maintain their form against a well-rounded Knicks team.
Game Highlights
This was their second meeting of the season, with another scheduled for April 9 in New York. The Knicks entered the fourth quarter with an 85-68 lead, having concluded the third quarter with a decisive 20-7 run.
As the game progressed, Brunson’s offensive prowess shined through as he scored ten consecutive points, amplifying the Knicks’ lead to 23 with just four minutes left on the clock. Notably, the Celtics attempted to implement the “Hack-a-Robinson” strategy on Mitchell Robinson, who has struggled with free-throw shooting. However, Robinson managed to convert both of his free-throw attempts late in the third quarter, overcoming earlier misses.
First Half Overview
At halftime, the Knicks were in front, 60-53, with Brunson having already tallied 19 points by that point, including a strong first quarter where he scored 12. The Celtics were faced with a considerable challenge, as they had trailed by as much as 17 points before narrowing the gap to a two-possession game despite their three-point shooting woes (5-of-22).
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Knicks are set to host the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, while the Celtics will welcome the Chicago Bulls to Boston on Wednesday.
