Celtics return to play action
In the heart-pounding NBA playoffs, the Boston Celtics - champions of last season - are clawing their way back against the New York Knicks, who hold a 1-2 lead in the series. After a disheartening 0-2 start at home, the Celtics are rebounding with an impressive 115-93 win in the third game.
The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum, didn't let the previous losses get the better of them this time. Instead, they came out with a strong focus, leading by over 20 points even before the second quarter began. "We understood the importance of this game," Tatum said, "We didn't want to feel the way we did after the last one, so we came out with the right mindset and tried to set the tone."
Payton Pritchard was the high scorer for the Celtics with 23 points, while Tatum chipped in 22. Rookie Ariel Hukporti from the Knicks, known for helping eliminate the Detroit Pistons, scored only 2 points in 2 minutes.
Struggles for Warriors Without Curry
The Golden State Warriors, who were missing superstar Stephen Curry, lost the fourth game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, allowing them to take a 2-1 lead in the series with a 102-97 victory in California. Anthony Edwards was the standout player for the Timberwolves, racking up 36 points, while Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga kept Golden State in the game for much of the match.
Although it's not impossible for the Celtics to win a series after losing the first two home games, only five teams have managed to do so in NBA history[1]. As the fourth game is scheduled for Tuesday night, the Celtics have a chance to even the score at Madison Square Garden.
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[1] Data indicates that 34 teams have overcome an 0-2 deficit to win a playoff series in the NBA. This comeback has become increasingly common in recent years, with at least one team achieving it in each of the last four postseasons and eight of the last nine years[2].
[2] Notable recent examples of teams making remarkable comebacks include the Indiana Pacers in 2024, the Golden State Warriors in 2023, and the Dallas Mavericks in 2022. In 2021, the Los Angeles Clippers overcame two 0-2 deficits, first against the Dallas Mavericks and later against the Utah Jazz, before ultimately winning the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns[2]. To further illustrate, the Toronto Raptors accomplished a similar feat in 2019 and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018, providing evidence that these come-from-behind victories aren't just outside the realm of possibility[2].
In the ongoing NBA playoffs, the Boston Celtics, determined to turn the tide, are resiliently challenging the New York Knicks, as they aim to even the series. Despite a rocky start, with a 1-2 deficit, the Celtics demonstrated their mettle with a victorious 115-93 win in the third game, fueled by their hunger to reset the series.
The NBA playoffs continue to feature thrilling moments, with teams like the Boston Celtics showcasing the unpredictable and tenacious nature of basketball in the league.
