Among the disappointments of the start of the season, so much so that they both point out of the Top 8 in the East, Knicks and Celtics met last night, at Madison Square Garden, for what was (already) their third clash of 2021/22.
And, at home, it was the New York franchise who managed to win in front of a delirious crowd, following a stunning match!
Led up to 25 points in the second quarter, Tom Thibodeau’s men actually relied on an exceptional Evan Fournier (41 points and 8 rebounds, 10/14 at 3-points !!!) to overthrow Jayson Tatum (36 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists) and his teammates!
An improbable “comeback”, which is moreover punctuated in the most beautiful way: a 3-point buzzer from RJ Barrett, yet terribly awkward before his murderous “game winner”, who blew up Madison Square Garden!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Evan Fournier definitely loves Boston. After scoring 32 points twice once morest the Celtics, in October and December, the Frenchman did even better last night, setting his new career points record (41). Only Tony Parker (55, 42 and 42) did better in the French clan! And the back of the Knicks quickly showed that he was well in legs, finishing the first quarter with 12 points, while floating for New York. He added 7 more in the second, to regain the locker room with 19 points, while his team sank.
But, following the break, Fournier did not let down and he continued to feed the scoring of Gotham players, with 3-points. In “FIBA” mode, and playing eye-to-eye with Jayson Tatum, the 29-year-old, who came out of a 0-point game, then instigated this famous 21-3 “run” which completely reversed the game. during the game, straddling the last two quarters. On fire, he didn’t stop there, lining up award-winning baskets like pearls, to equal JR Smith’s franchise record! And above all to allow his own to equalize then to pass (finally) in front. Hope it lasts !
— Boston had however done the hardest part… Before inexplicably collapsing at the end, the Celtics had done everything they might to afford a quiet game. Thanks, in particular, to a terrible second quarter (38-29), where they made the powder speak at 3-points (8/14) and counted up to 25 points in advance! In the wake of an ultra-clean Jayson Tatum, scoring or passing, and an elusive Dennis Schröder. Groggy, the Knicks weren’t able to worry the C’s more than that following the break, closing in on the score and then constantly taking on a new shine. Until this 21-3 run which changed everything …
— A bad end of quarter that pays cash. Exactly, let’s talk regarding the moment when everything changed: in the lead 81-64, the teammates of Jayson Tatum, who walked on the water and who did what he wanted with the opposing defense, began to lose foot when the substitutes of Boston came into play. Evan Fournier then lit the fuse from afar, Immanuel Quickley took over with his percussions then Julius Randle showed his muscles under the panels. As before half-time, the Celtics took to the water at the end of the quarter and, this time, their release cost them very, very dear …
LES TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Immanuel Quickley. The spark of the Knicks. If Evan Fournier was the leader of the team throughout the evening, “IQ” (16 points) was one of those who allowed the New York franchise to instigate its terrible “comeback” , during the third quarter. Accompanied by Fournier, Quickley alternated penetrations and baskets behind the arc, sometimes with a few assists, to gradually bring New York back into contact. All in aggressiveness and fighting spirit, without ever decelerating, the “combo-guard” thus demonstrates that this role of sixth man suits him and that he seems destined in the NBA.
✅ Robert Williams. The Celtic wall was impassable that night. With his 7 blocks, the central Boston has also established his new career record in the field, to go with his 6 points, 9 rebounds and 2 interceptions. And, even if the contribution of “Time Lord” was not really encouraging in attack, his defensive contribution was however capital for the Celtics. This cruel defeat at the buzzer should therefore not make us forget all the work carried out by the 24-year-old interior, on this side of the field.
✅ Dennis Schröder. Out of the bench, the German leader (20 points) has long plagued the New York defense, before gradually disappearing over the game. His first half, and in particular his second quarter, was in any case a marvel, as the sixth man from Boston cut his defenders as he saw fit. Both far and near, in the wake of a Jayson Tatum also excellent in this second act.
⛔✅ RJ Barrett. Long martyred by Robert Williams, who countered him a lot of times near the circle (5, to be precise), the Canadian (13 points, 6 assists) made up for it in the best possible way, by registering a “game winner ”as unlikely as difficult, 3-point! Yet he was 3/14 on shots, and 1/3 behind the arc, before this miraculous shoot, which allowed the Knicks to validate their incredible “comeback”. And this is the first time since March 2004 (-26 once morest the Bucks) that the New York franchise has gone up such a handicap to win.
⛔ Enes Freedom. Difficult to point the finger at a Boston player, as the sinking was collective in the last quarter of an hour, but it is when the Turk and the other substitutes came into play that the Knicks, and especially Evan Fournier, regained confidence in the third act, in order to succeed in this enormous 21-3 “run”, straddling the last two quarters! Unable to defend on “pick-and-roll” and to climb on the opposing shooters, the pivot of the Celtics is a black hole on this side of the floor, in addition to hardly weighing in attack. We still wonder why Ime Udoka gives him ten minutes each evening …
THE FOLLOWING
New York (19-20) : moving to Boston, in the night from Saturday to Sunday (1:30 am), for the pass of two?
Boston (18-21) : New York reception, on the night of Saturday to Sunday (1:30 am), for the revenge?
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