Knicks vs. Celtics: Three keys for New York to unlock spot in Eastern Conference finals
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Dwyane Wade on Celtics collapse and Knicks momentum
Dwyane Wade talks Celtics' playoff woes, Knicks' rise, and Anthony Edwards' breakout.
Friday night has the potential to be the biggest night inside Madison Square Garden in 25 years.
The New York Knicks are one victory from their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000, and they can clinch their spot by winning Game 6 of the second-round series against the defending champion Boston Celtics. After a memorable Game 4 victory to take a 3-1 series lead, the Knicks looked poised to take care of business in five games, especially with Boston losing Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury.
Instead, New York couldn't close it out at TD Garden and suffered a resounding 25-point loss to extend the series. Now the pressure is on for the Knicks to take care of business on their court and avoid going back to Boston for a deciding Game 7.
To its credit, Boston played well without its star, but there were plenty of mistakes made by New York that led to the loss.
So what are the keys for the Knicks to close out a playoff series at home for the first time since 1999?
MORE: Knicks vs. Celtics: Players to watch, predictions, Eastern Conference semifinal schedule
Defend the 3, for real
It's no secret how much Boston loves the 3-point ball; it was a historic season from deep after all.
But what's been key in New York's three wins this series is stopping − or Boston's inability to knock down − 3-pointers. In the Knicks' wins, Boston has shot 15-for-60 (25%), 10-for-40 (25%) and 18-for-48 (37.5%) from 3-point territory, figures that won't win games. On the other hand, Boston was 20-for-40 (50%) from deep in Game 3, and in Game 5, the team tied a franchise 3-point playoff record with 22 makes on 49 attempts (44.9%).
The Knicks have to guard the perimeter with more urgency, and not just hope the Celtics go cold. Boston is going to chuck the ball up, but pressing on those attempts could lead to more misses and empty trips for the Celtics. The statistics show Boston is 0-3 this series when shooting less than 40% from deep. If New York ensures that happens in Game 6, it should like its chances of advancing.
Own the paint, with help from Karl-Anthony Towns
The Knicks were one of the top teams at scoring near the rim, averaging 52.5 points in the paint (sixth) during the regular season. New York thrives with close shots, and it's been effective inside the arc this series with at least 44.4% 2-point shots made each game.
In Game 5, the Knicks struggled with just 26 points in the paint, the lowest they had scored near the bucket this season. For 2-point attempts, New York was 33.3%, second-lowest this season. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla opted to take Kristaps Porzingis out in the second half and roll with Luke Kornet, who stole the show Wednesday as he made it tough for New York to make close shots.
Now with Kornet expected to take the responsibilities, New York must adjust to a tougher presence in the key and find ways to get easier shots. Karl-Anthony Towns could certainly help with that, as the big man has struggled from deep. Rather than trying to find his shot, Towns can attack the bucket. If he's able to find a rhythm, Boston will be forced with trying to stop Towns and Mitchell Robinson.
Avoid the slow second-half start, foul trouble
Any chance New York had of closing out the series in Game 5 went out the door following the abysmal third quarter; the Celtics were on their way to victory after causing all sorts of frustrations after halftime.
Mainly, Boston was drawing fouls. It made 18 trips to the free-throw line in the third quarter alone, making 12. Not only was it preventing the Knicks from finding a flow and giving Boston easy scoring attempts, but it created major foul trouble. Jalen Brunson drew five fouls in the frame, not something New York could avoid with a fourth-quarter deficit. He fouled out in the fourth quarter.
On top of getting to the charity stripe, Boston was knocking down its 3-pointers. New York had no answer as it went 4-for-20 shooting in that decisive third quarter.
The Knicks cannot let fouls to its stars be an issue, and it has to show some urgency out of the intermission. In the Game 4 victory, it was a strong second half that pushed New York ahead for the third win of the series. The first half is likely to be close, and with a strong showing out of halftime, it could propel the Knicks to the decisive fourth win.
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