Everything you need to know about the Celtics win over the Knicks, with BSJ insight and analysis.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Knicks blasted out of the gates to take a 13-point lead behind a hot-shooting Josh Hart. Jaylen Brown fueled a huge run to take the lead late in the second, which settled at seven at halftime. It hung around 11 for a while until a huge close to the third to go up 18. The Knicks cut it all the way to three, but Jordan Walsh made every hustle play to help the C’s close it out.
HEADLINES
- Another great win: The Celtics entered this stretch of games against Orlando, Detroit, Minnesota, Cleveland, New York, and the Lakers fresh off a loss to Brooklyn. They weren’t exactly closing games out strong and there was some fear that they were about to hit a real tough patch.
All they’ve done is win four of five, including consecutive games that held off teams making a late charge. I would have been happy hanging around .500 here.
- Unsung heroes: Hugo Gonzalez’s defense in the second was amazing. Walsh’s fourth quarter was the best basketball I’ve ever seen him play. Josh Minott made significant contributions down the stretch as well.
“Everyone's got a different level of depth. We're using it now,” Joe Mazzulla said after the game. “Eleven guys played, so the depth there to be able to go — the other night, it was (Xavier Tillman), and tonight it was Hugo. Depth comes from just being able to impact the game in a positive way.”
- Oh by the way Jaylen Brown was awesome: Brown dropped a season-high 42 after a horrible start to the game. He had three turnovers, two fouls, and just four points in the first quarter.
“I had some turnovers and probably was playing a little bit too fast,” Brown said. “I just told myself, ‘I’m going to just slow it down a little bit,’ and it was off to the races after that.”
He had 18 in the second quarter and 12 in the third. The fourth quarter? That's a different story to be told later.
TURNING POINT