It was by no means pretty, but the Boston Celtics pulled it out today with an 87-85 victory over the New York Knicks in the Garden. Mean Green needed every bit of their veteran experience to get out of this one with the W, with the Knicks taking control early with a twelve point lead and playing some uncharacteristically tough defense in their losing effort.
Everyone has been waiting to see how these new-look Knicks would do in the playoffs, and the with one game as an indicator, it seems like they are definitely good enough to be a little scary. Amare Stoudemire was a revelation, finishing as the games high-point man with 28 efficient points ( while on route to a double-double, also contributing 11 rebounds and two blocks. Trade deadline imports Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups did not fare nearly as well scoring only 25 points combined and shooting a ghastly 8-29.
The Celtics trailed, and seemed content to do so, for the majority of the game. People stood around watching Rondo dribble for twenty seconds, and Rondo being Rondo, the Knicks were more than willing to give him the space to shoot. He finished with 10 points, on 5-14, but as is also the case with Rondo, his real contribution came with his 9 rebounds and 9 assists.
Kevin Garnett finished with a 15-13 double-double, and he and Paul Pierce (18 pts) both looked like some extra time at shoot-around would have worked wonders. I especially noticed KG missing a number of wide open jumpers that are normally one of his specialties in this offense.
However, the last of Boston’s Big 3 and the NBA’s reigning three-point leader had an excellent game, netting himself 24 points and 6 rebounds. And though Allen did win the game for the Celtics with his excellent shooting from beyond the arc, nailing the game winning three-pointer for approximately the three millionth time in his career, what impressed me more than anything was his driving to the rim. Ray Allen converted 3 of 5 attempts at the basket, getting an and-one foul attempt on his way to doing so. Without Ray Allen, the Celtics lose this game by at least ten.
Another huge part of the Celtic rally was…wait for it…. Jermaine O’Neal. Yes, you read that right. Jermaine O’Neal. As in Zombie Jermaine O’Neal. He totally ate the brains of the Knicks tonight, and it’s a good thing too. With Shaquille O’Neal sidelined with a foot injury, and Glen Davis chipping in only 2 points and shooting 1-8 on the night, the Celtics frontcourt was sorely lacking. Jermaine’s better-than-advertised defense (4 blocks) and super-efficient scoring (6-6 for 12 points) along with his three offensive rebounds (4 total) were instrumental in keeping the Celtics in this game. With help from Ray Allen, Jermaine O’Neal woke a snoozing Boston offense back up in the third and got them playing something resembling quality basketball again.
With Game 2 looming, it will definitely be interesting to see what veteran coaches Doc Rivers and Mike D’antoni draw up to try to win this game. This game definitely taught us that if you don’t come ready to play, these new-look Knicks can put you on the ropes. Mean Green better be ready the next time they take the court at the garden.
Key Moment:
With about 7:45 left to play in third, Jermaine O’Neal gets a block on the defensive end, then nets a pretty two points on an assisted jumper in the paint. After this, everyone wearing a green jersey seems a little more alert and focused, and the off-ball movement and airtight tight defense this team is known for starts to show its face again. Basketball being a sport heavily based on momentum, inspired play by Jermaine during this stretch got the C’s locked in and ready to win again.
What it Means for Boston:
Boston got away with one tonight, and they know it. I would expect to see them come out swinging in Game 2, and try to put it away early. If there was any thought in the C’s mind that they could play any less than 100% and still beat this Knicks team handily, they definitely know better now. Many people, including myself, are giving the Celtics zero chance to make a title run this year, and with the loss of Perkins, they are going to have to play as hard as they can every night to prove us wrong.
What it Means for New York:
New York did not play well offensively at all tonight, other than Stoudemire, and still was one Ray Allen dagger away from stealing their first playoff game in a hostile environment. How did they do that? Defense. I know, I know, its just one game, and its not like the Celt’s offense was some well-oiled machine, but still. If Melo takes fewer bad shots, and Chauncey hits his open looks, and the Knicks play defense, then they can compete with any team in the league. A lot of ifs there, but make no mistake, if this team play up to its potential, they are very dangerous.
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