NEW YORK — These aren’t the same ‘ol Celtics.
No Rajon Rondo. No Ray Allen. No Perk, Posey or P.J. Brown.
They took another step backward this season, falling to seventh in the Eastern Conference. They were pretty awful on the road, their defense didn’t have quite the same bite, and their offense was pretty anemic. You never knew what you were going to get from them, maybe a win over a great team on one night and a loss to a terrible team the next.
And when they were down 0-3 to the New York Knicks in this first round series, it appeared to be time to finally count them out.
Well … uh … never mind. Maybe these are the same ‘ol Celtics.
Fueled by a defense that continues to hold it’s own against one of the most potent offensive attacks in the league, the Celtics staved off elimination for the second time on Wednesday. This time they did it in enemy territory, holding on for a 92-86 victory at Madison Square Garden that sends the series back to Boston for Game 6 on Friday.
So now, things get really interesting. No team in NBA history has ever come back from an 0-3 series deficit, but it’s starting to look like great defense can beat great offense. The Knicks have shot just 37 percent and scored just 94 points per 100 possessions over the last two games.
Coming up empty in Boston without J.R. Smith is one thing. But with Smith back and the opportunity to win a playoff series on their home floor for the first time since 1999, the Knicks laid another egg on Wednesday.
In his return from a one-game suspension, Smith missed his first 10 shots and finished 3-for-14. Carmelo Anthony wasn’t much better, shooting 8-for-24, meaning that the Knicks basically got the same production out of the pair as they did in Game 4 (when Smith didn’t play).
The one thing the Knicks still have going offensively is Raymond Felton on the pick and roll. He continued to get to the rim in Game 5, rendering Avery Bradley useless and scoring 21 points on 10-for-19 shooting.
But too often, the Knicks became stagnant offensively, resorting to more isolations and contested jumpers. They’ve lived by the three all season, but have shot a brutal 12-for-52 (23 percent) from beyond the arc in the last two games. Anthony has missed his last 15 3-point attempts.
Of course, the Celtics wouldn’t have won Games 4 and 5 if they weren’t scoring themselves. And Wednesday was easily their best offensive performance of the series. Part of it was better execution. But mostly, they just shot better.
That was the one source of optimism when they were down 0-3. They’re a bad offensive team, but they’re not a bad shooting team, and they were missing a lot of decent shots in those first three games. The Knicks have played aggressively on the ball all series, leaving shooters open. And now the Celtics are finally making them pay. Their 3-point percentage has increased in every game of the series, peaking with an 11-for-22 performance in Game 5.
Really, these are both jump-shooting teams, and games will sometimes be determined by whether or not the shots go in. But it was clear on Wednesday which team was forcing more misses. That’s the team that had its season on the line, the team that never goes down without a fight.
The Knicks wore all black to this game, thinking they were attending a funeral. Instead, they got a free trip back to Boston, thanks to a prideful team that just won’t die.
Same ‘ol Celtics, apparently. Never count ’em out.
I love Doc Rivers reaction at the end of the game.
For the first time in my life I find myself rooting for the Boston Celtics… The disrespect from JR and Kenyon really pissed me off, can’t imagine how the C’s felt.
Yeah, but that was a dirty arm pull by Garnett on Carmelo. He should’ve been tossed.
The first few games KG and Pail shot the ball horribly..There was no way they were going to keep missing all those shots..All I could think is once they start playing(hitting shots)like they have been all year…then we’ll have us a series..GO Green Gang!!!!
Its hard to predict.. really hard.. that is why I believe in the saying “The Ball is Round” sometimes your in top or bottom. But this issue needs some real player to stay in the PLAYOFFS. If JR Smith will comeback in Boston the Knicks will win period and with exclamation point.
This series is so on fire! Can’t wait for game 6!
Lol @ Kenyon Martin. You can make jokes but you cant take em. What a poor sport cry baby. Professional athlete, powerforward/center acting hard to a little dude with a microphone. Heres a word of advice to Martin and Smith: A mouth that is closed, gathers no foot.
The foundation that the Celtics are built from is unrivalled in the NBA! The other storied franchise the ‘Lakers’ simply don’t have it. I am continuously amazed at how much heart and guts these Celtics have. They would bleed for that jersey! They have no right to even be in this position with all their injuries and age etc. Somehow Celtic Pride finds a way. It’s playoff time which means it’s Celtic Time!! Just get Game 6 and then anything can happen.
BLACK shirts BLACK pants…AIN’T WORKING!!!
Remember when we were too old? When our season was over without Rondo? When we were down for the count at 0-3? Good, neither do we.
Another trip to the East Finals is what should happen why? Because of guys like K.G. The Knicks are soft and not battle tested like Boston.
CELTICS M O T H E R F U C K E R!!!!!!!!!!
Stop pretending the Celtics are playing great with bad players, the Celtics are playing bad with bad players, They cant score, they cant rebound offensive, they comit a lot of stupid turnovers, they dropped a 20 point lead, they have been horrible. the Knicks simply manage to have been worse in the last two games (and in game 1).
I am a Knick Fan and a diehard fan of Melo but this series has been embaracing,..
yeah, no credit to how the celtics played the last two games… the knicks went so bad that even milwaukee can do the same thing… it takes two to tango bro.
Celtics are a great team and doing well without Rondo, but after this season they are not going to be as great like the last couplemofmseasons. I give them respect for playing with nothing to lose but it’s the Knicks time now.
Even if celtics lose the knicks can’t beat the pacers and won’t be the heat especially lebron in playoff mode.
With clowns like J.R smith and Carmelo leading the knicks u know nothing is guaranteed except that the one sure thing, that these guys aint championship material.
Just keeping the faith bro. Whatever happens, NYK would’ve probably learned after the series why they aren’t considered a winning team just yet. I’m just proud of the Celtics that despite being overmatched, they still are able to make the Knicks pee their pants (LOL). One thing is for sure in this series, Boston will keep swinging til the final buzzer.
game 6 on the home turf for the lagging opponents. Both celtics/houston will likely win game 6 and force 7! they both have momentum and both top teams have shown vulnerability due to lack of variety! These 4 teams and with some effort from clippers and golden gate will make first round playoff one of the best in a long time. Contrary to everybody’s belief( including me) that will be totally lopsided 1st round!
Every game is a grind for the Celtics. They hv to execute 85%+ in order to win, both off & esp def. If they didn’t hv the system & just relied on super star individual plays, they would not hv enjoyed success in playoffs.
Though Celtics did hit quite a no of difficult & clutch shots, from PP, Green (2 3’s), KG, Terry.
The main issue is are they able to keep the defense up to championship level, & hv more guys producing if they’re in the rotation, while Melo & JR miss their wild attempts. these 2 guys do or die by the wild shot attempts. Is it enough to stop everyone else?
I’m glad the Celtics didn’t fall into the trap of trying to do too much for the “funeral look” by the Knicks. I hope Crawford also don’t fall into the antics which Felton did after the game finished, as he can easily make mistakes on court because of this.
For a basketball fan like me, this series is so amusing and interesting. The Knicks, with all their drama, desperately need to get out of the first round and all those fun facts that keep popping up make it so amusing. Melo has only won 2 playoff series and lost 9, he made it out of the 1st round only once in his career. The Knicks haven’t won a playoff series in 13 years. They were up 3-0 and no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win the series in the NBA.
i have faith in them… GO CELTICS!!!!
Don’t Let The CELTICS Win!
New York Knicks looks like idiots now, after that whole funeral gig. Jesus Christ, they have to be the dumbest team in the history of the NBA to even try that. This is the Celtics we are talking about, the single greatest NBA franschise. They are not going to lay down. Even if the Knicks win this series, I have lost all respect for the New York Knicks. And guess what, I’ve always hated the Celtics but goddamn I have respected them. Looks like Beantown might still be holding on here. And the TRUTH hurts!
Oh & let’s remember that history gets made everyday!
For one-It’s Celtics pride baby, i never loose faith! Two-all jr did was piss Terry off real, real, reeeal bad as well as all the Celts & then all the black suites only just compounded That Sweet Celtics Fire-good luck w/ that ny!
ONE GAME @ A TIME!!!
Would have been three if traitor Allen hadn’t left.
That’s why you should never go easy on veteran champions. Revenge from 2011 is what’s on the Knicks’ head. What’s on the Head of the Celtics is CHAMPIONSHIP.
this is what happens to teams who have experience and will to win.. the C’s may be old but their will and experience pushes them to a whole different level.. knicks lack something like that.. they brag because they beat them 3 straight and wearing black and stuff.. HAHA! who’s laughing now KNICKS?
Well, nice job contradicting yourself after the Blogtable: Being Relevant In Boston article a few hours ago, quality journalism here.
Anyway, about the Knicks, I remember Barkley saying you can’t possibly keep making threes like they did in the beginning of the season, and of course he was right. Now in the playoffs, against a top defense, with added pressure, they’re much less effective on that aspect. I like Woodson because he tries to simplify the processes, but this is the time a system or designed plays make a difference, because they want to be aggressive and win, but in some situations they don’t know how, and end up committing offensive fouls.
The Celtics are doing really well. It’s hard to come back from 0-3, but we’ll see. Felton has given Bradley problems, which is not common. Garnett should win Defensive Player Of The Year every season.
Any one understood WTF Garnett was saying?
How could you ever count out such a proud franchise? With all their injuries they still find ways to get the job done, that’s why I respect the Celtics so much. They’ve lost Rondo, Sullinger and Barbosa, three very important players. I mean, take Carmelo, Novak and another role player away from NY and they probably wouldn’t have made the playoffs.
I think the Celtics could pull it off, maybe the Rockets could too, I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened. And if it does happen, I think it’s safe to say the Celtics could h ave won a championship if it wasn’t for the injuries, considering NY is one of the best teams in the NBA right now.
It’s just a shame they have no respect for a team that deserves it.
As Mick famously said to Rocky “I ain’t heard no bell yet”. Go C’s!! Time for a new commercial….cause that’s the definition of “Big” :-). Love,your heart, guys…always have, and always will.
I don’t understand why coach Woodson does not play more minutes with Pablo Prigioni. His numbers (+/-) are always good for the team and his style complicates things for a Boston team without a point guard.
Call me crazy but I think we could see the first comeback from 0-3 in the history of this league. This is not the most likely scenario but I’ve feeling Boston or Houston have a real chance to win the next two games. After three games, it was unthinkable but after five why not.
I agree. Houston and Boston have a good momentum to win 4 straight. But I think Houston has a higher percentage to win it just because Westbrook isn’t playing.
Well basketball was way more interesting back in the day when teams were rivals and not pals….remember those Barkley – Shaq fights? Rodman vs the world????? those were the days…now the Celtics are the only ones with rivalries resembling the old days!
Yep, that’s what you gotta love about these Celtics, they’re remembrance of the 80’s and 90’s basketball, pure grit, not making friends, playing good old fashion basketball… I really admire them, even so, NY has a solid young talented team, but if they can pull a W in Boston for game 6, who knows… you could see the look in the NY players, they were defeated, they seem like they’re living a nightmare… and now, they have to go to Boston, all emotions in the building… it’s gonna be a GREAT game to watch… so far, the best series!!!
Indiana is a huge mismatch for the Celtics that’s why most were rooting for an Indie/Boston 1st rd. If they ever get out of New York you can bet your life that they’re a shoe in for the ECF.
I too am a Celtic fan. While you correct, in part, that they are running on heart, that’s not the only thing they’re doing. It is sheer execution. That’s it! They are playing fundamental basketball: moving the ball side-to-side, getting the highest percentage shot. Look at the scoring: it’s balanced; with multiple players in double figures. Also, the teams are getting used to each other. It took us nearly too long to get there, but we did. It’s Grind Out City from here on. Nevertheless, NY has the advantage. They have to win one, we have to win two. It’s an uphill battle. But I believe we have the intestinal-fortitude to do it. LET’S GO CELTICS!!!!
it is admirable indeed but you forget… these are aging guys. If ever Boston win the series which I hope they do, they will be pretty vulnerable for the next series because of the effort they need to exert to oust the Knicks.
Im not hating BTW just being real.
Celtics had plenty of 7 game series in their 2008 championship run, 2010 finals run, and 2012 ECF run. Didn’t seem to slow them one bit.
I love Doc but I hate Boston’s rude fan.