After New York stole Game 1 in Boston, many analysts predicted that the Celtics would even have a series. With about 14 minutes remaining in Game 2, the Celtics took a 73-53 lead.
However, the Knicks continued to fight, and the Celtics got cold at the worst possible time. They only scored one field goal in the final eight minutes of Game 2. Ultimately, the Knicks were within an impressive distance, stealing the lead from Boston in the second half of the fourth. In the final ownership of the game, Jason Tatum had the opportunity to win with the Celtics. New York’s defense was tall. Tatum lost his dribbling and did not stop trying to shoot. The Knicks currently have a 2-0 series lead vs. Tracing NBA champion.
What was the problem for the Celtics in Game 2?
Trend: The Celtics’ odds to win the Eastern Conference fell off the cliff after dropping 0-2.
Can Tatum and Co turn it around in the garden? via @polymarketsport. https://t.co/9nzsqmdmqy
– Hoopcentral (@thehoopcentral) May 8, 2025
The similarities between the Knicks and Celtics games 1 and 2 are surprisingly similar. On Tuesday night, in Game 1, Boston shot 15-60, or 25% over the Ark. For Game 2, they were 10-40 from the Deep. Again, shoot 25% from the distance. The Celtics’ identity in the regular season was to create them by gaining a ton of 3-pointers. This worked in the regular season and the first round.
The Celtics lost a three-point touch in the conference semi-finals, with the Knicks vs. Knicks. Games 1 and 2 combine 25-100 over the arc. In Game 2, the Celtics took a 20-point lead for about 14 minutes. However, they knew that the lead was not safe after Game 1 ended. The Knicks continued to return to the game and eventually tied the game into the second half of the fourth quarter.
New York finished the match with a 23-6 run and the Celtics were icy cold. Payton Pritchard hit a 3-pointer fourth with 8:40 left. That gave the Celtics an 84-68 lead. Boston didn’t score another field goal until the rest of Jason Tatum’s dunk was under 20 seconds. This is not a recipe for winning playoff basketball games. Can the Celtics respond after the Knicks take a 2-0 series lead back to New York?