When Jalen Brunson was dominated out with foot soreness, it appeared to kill the joy surrounding this Knicks–Celtics matchup. Nonetheless, the sport didn’t disappoint, because the Knicks gained 131-129 in double time beyond regulation, with Immanuel Quickley having the sport of his life, ending with a career-high 38 factors in 55 minutes. He additionally had 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals. Julius Randle (31 factors and 9 rebounds) and RJ Barrett (29 factors and 11 rebounds) additionally had nice video games for New York, who prolonged their profitable streak to 9.
The Celtics couldn’t avenge their loss to the Knicks from earlier this week, however they fought till the tip. The Knicks went on a 21-2 run on the finish of the third and into the 4th quarter. Boston trailed by 7 factors with 1:25 remaining however had been in a position to drive time beyond regulation. Jayson Tatum completed with 40 factors, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, whereas Jaylen Brown had 29 factors, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals. Horford hit clutch threes on the finish of regulation and the primary time beyond regulation, however couldn’t hit the ultimate shot of the second time beyond regulation. He completed with 20 factors, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and a pair of blocks. The Celtics had been with out Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon.
Quickley, beginning rather than Brunson, opened the sport with a deep straightaway three, and Derrick White, beginning rather than Williams, answered by swishing a 3 on the opposite finish. The Knicks led your complete quarter however the Celtics went up 31-28 after a Tatum three with 35 seconds left, his sixteenth level of the interval. Julius Randle responded with a 3, however White received an and-1 offensive rebound put-back, and Boston a 34-31 lead after one.
RJ Barrett scored 14 1st quarter factors and the Knicks shot 48 p.c from the sphere. The Celtics didn’t shoot as properly, however they’d six offensive rebounds and 11 second likelihood factors.
After Jaylen Brown hit a pull-up transition three and Boston took a 42-35 lead, they seemingly had all of the momentum. However Quickley’s menacing two-way presence tilted it again in New York’s favor. He received a steal within the backcourt and completed the open layup, and offensively pushed the tempo on each possession. His rebound and hit-ahead cross initiated this lovely transition sequence:
This instantly prompted a Joe Mazzulla timeout, who was not joyful following this play.
Mazzulla exhibiting some emotion. Annoyed after the Knicks get a straightforward leak-out, calls timeout, comes over to bench, has some phrases and tosses clipboard on the bottom.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) March 6, 2023
A Randle floater gave the Knicks a 54-50 lead with just below three minutes left within the half, and the Celtics responded with an 11-0 run, main 61-54 on the break. Each groups had 10 first half turnovers, however the Celtics’ 11 offensive rebounds and 5 steals had been the distinction. Tatum scored 19, Brown had 17, Grant Williams didn’t rating however was a staff excessive +12 in 16 minutes, whereas White had 12 factors, 6 rebounds, and three assists.
The second half opened with some nice 1-on-1 matchups with Good guarding Randle, and after Good received elbowed within the face, the refs known as the offensive foul. Randle wasn’t happy, made incidental contact with the ref, and received known as for a technical foul. The evaluation of the technical foul and potential improve to a flagrant took about 5 minutes and killed the momentum of the playoff-like environment.
Every time the Celtics regarded to take management, the Knicks got here roaring again. Grant’s three on the 6:22 mark gave them a 77-63 lead, then Quickley answered with a 3 and Mitchell Robinson completed an alley-oop. Horford hit a 3 to provide the Celtics a 12-point lead, however Quickley responded with two excellent defensive performs, the primary was a block on Jaylen that led to a coast-to-coast end, the following was a steal which became a Barrett transition layup.
Quickley scored 11 factors within the third quarter, and Julius Randle’s step-back nook three on the buzzer gave the Knicks an 88-87 lead heading into the fourth. They shot 62 p.c within the quarter and ended it on an 18-5 run.
Mike Muscala received known as for an offensive foul setting a display screen and Barrett got here again with a 3 to provide the Knicks a 98-89 lead with 9:04 remaining. The Celtics regarded dejected. New York ended the third quarter on a 9-0 run and opened the 4th on a 12-2 run. Horford broke the run with a right-wing three and the Knicks known as timeout, hoping to halt any Boston offensive movement.
It didn’t work. Jaylen completed a driving layup in heavy site visitors, Tatum hit a clean step-back three, then he discovered a seam and threw down a two-handed dunk. The Celtics trailed 102-99 with 6:33 to play. The sport turned a frenzied rugby scrum and we noticed some nice particular person protection from each groups. Neither staff scored on their subsequent 4 possessions, however Jaylen’s and-1 layup tied it at 102 with 4 minutes remaining.
We received one other 5 minute delay after Good received hit within the man components and the refs reviewed the play for a hostile act. Jaylen missed an elbow jumper then Quickley hit a floater, Josh Hart transformed a layup, and Randle splashed a 3 to provide the Knicks a 111-104 lead.
The Celtics regarded performed, however Horford responded with a 3 the following possession, and Good, who had a tough capturing sport, nailed a nook three with 18 seconds remaining. One level sport. The Celtics received two clutch offensive rebounds, the primary by Grant and second by Jaylen.
After Randle hit two free throws to provide the Knicks a 113-110 lead, the Celtics had a choice about going for 2 or three on the ultimate possession. They opted to go to Jaylen within the publish, who backed down Quentin Grimes and hit a one-handed push shot, received fouled, and hit the free throw. Tie sport. The Knicks had loads of time, however Randle, attempting to again down Grant, received the ball stolen by Jaylen. It appeared like he’d have an opportunity for a ultimate heave, however time expired and the sport went to time beyond regulation.
Each groups regarded exhausted. Good and Hart traded threes, then Barrett hit a free throw to provide New York a 117-116 lead with 1:50 to play. Grant and Randle every hit free throws on unfastened ball fouls and the Knicks led 119-118 with 44 seconds left. On the following Celtic possession, Good drove to the paint and dumped it off to Tatum. He then discovered Horford open within the nook, who splashed the three over Robinsons contest. Celtics led 121-119.
The Knicks got here proper again, and who else however Immanuel Quickley hit a 10-foot floater to tie the sport. On the ultimate possession, the Celtics didn’t name timeout, which labored the earlier play, and appeared to work this time too, regardless of the transient confusion on the ground. The play took a very long time to develop, however Tatum ultimately received the ball and drove previous Barrett. The 5-foot floater was quick, and we had double time beyond regulation within the TD Backyard.
Quickley scored 7 factors within the second time beyond regulation and the Celtics missed their first 4 discipline purpose makes an attempt. Tatum had struggled in each overtimes, however scored on three straight possessions to make it a two level sport. Horford had an excellent look from the nook within the ultimate seconds, however it fell quick. The Knicks gained 131-129.
The Celtics have now misplaced three of their final 4, they usually journey to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers tomorrow at 7:00 pm EST.
