Celtics Punch Back at the Garden, Even Series Behind Resurgent Shooting and Stifling Defense

Final Score:

Boston Celtics 102, New York Knicks 91

The Celtics’ Offensive Struggles:

The Boston Celtics‘ offense has been inconsistent, to say the least. While their Game 3 performance (20 of 40 from three) was an improvement from the previous two games, the shooting issues of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown remain a serious concern. Both players are struggling to find their rhythm, and their three-point shooting has been dismal in this series (combined under 30%). Despite Tatum’s strong start in Game 3, his overall performance, along with Brown’s, has not lived up to expectations for an elite duo in the league.

Key Issue: The Celtics are shooting poorly overall. Tatum and Brown, two of the league’s most dynamic players, are not hitting the level expected from them at this stage. Their combined 34% shooting from the field and struggles beyond the arc are preventing Boston from becoming the offensive juggernaut many thought they’d be.
The Bright Spot: Boston’s ability to adjust from Game 2 to Game 3 in terms of shooting volume is promising. If they can continue to generate good looks from beyond the arc and take advantage of transition opportunities, they may break through. However, this won’t be enough if their stars don’t break out of their shooting slump.

The Knicks’ Blueprint: Defense and Role Player Contributions

The New York Knicks have executed a smart defensive game plan and leaned on role players stepping up at pivotal moments. The team has been able to match the Celtics’ size and physicality, making it difficult for Tatum and Brown to get clean looks.

Karl-Anthony Towns has been an X-factor, particularly on the defensive end. Despite not having his best offensive performances (with just 1 made three in his last four games), Towns’ defensive ability to switch and contest shots has played a big role in Boston’s struggles. He has helped stifle Tatum’s production, holding him to 2 of 13 shooting when defending him.
Mitchell Robinson is another critical piece. While his offensive impact has been limited, he is a difference-maker on the defensive end. His rim protection has been vital in disrupting Boston’s inside game and forcing them into tough contested shots. The key for Robinson will be to stay active without fouling, especially with a Celtics team that thrives on drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line.
The Need for Role Players to Step Up: Players like OG Anunoby have to become more consistent. He had a career-high 29 points in Game 1 but has only scored 7 points total since. For the Knicks to be a threat, Anunoby must find a balance between defense and offense, as he’s shown he can contribute across both ends.
Pace and Energy: The Knicks need to continue playing fast, physical basketball while avoiding the trap of getting complacent. They’ve fallen behind by 20-30 points in each of the first three games, which is something that won’t fly against a team like the Celtics. Even if they are resilient enough to fight back, putting themselves in such deep holes early only gives them a small margin for error late in games.

Tactical Breakdown:

The Celtics’ offense revolves around two main elements: their three-point shooting and the playmaking ability of Tatum and Brown. However, the Knicks’ defensive schemes have been able to disrupt both. The Celtics like to get Tatum and Brown into isolation situations and rely on their shooting talent to get open looks, but the Knicks’ defensive discipline — particularly Towns and Robinson on the inside — has prevented easy baskets, forcing them into contested shots and creating chaos.

Game 4 Adjustments: The Celtics may need to adjust their approach to involve more ball movement and create off-ball screens for Tatum and Brown to generate easier looks. The Knicks have done a great job of making sure that these players are not given space to operate freely. In Game 4, look for the Celtics to emphasize offensive flow through ball reversals and more pick-and-roll action, potentially forcing New York to overcommit and create better opportunities for the stars to thrive.
Knicks’ Offensive Strategy: On the other side, New York’s offense needs to find balance. While Jalen Brunson has been a reliable scorer, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart need to produce more consistently. The offense runs well when everyone is involved, so the Knicks need to leverage their depth, get role players in motion, and control the tempo of the game — making sure they don’t let the Celtics speed them up. The key is maintaining control and pacing through physicality and balanced scoring.

Key to Success for Both Teams:

For the Celtics:
- Get Tatum and Brown going offensively — if they start hitting shots early, it will open up the floor for others.
- Defend with intensity on the perimeter. The Knicks have some capable shooters, but the Celtics can’t afford to let their defense slide, especially against a Knicks team that thrives off transition and ball movement.
For the Knicks:
- Avoid falling behind early. They’ve shown resilience, but taking early leads or at least keeping it close in the first half will prevent them from playing catch-up basketball.
- Continue to capitalize on defense, especially with Towns and Robinson playing such crucial roles. They’ve disrupted the Celtics’ stars, and that needs to continue.
- Role players need to perform, especially OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, to take some of the offensive burden off Brunson.

Conclusion:

The Knicks have set themselves up well with their strong defense and contributions from key role players. However, they face a dangerous Celtics team that, despite their shooting struggles, can explode at any moment. Game 4 is a must-win for the Celtics if they want to avoid heading back to Boston in a 3-1 deficit. The Knicks will be looking to extend their series lead, but they must avoid falling into the same early hole they have throughout the series.