The New York Knicks were left with a disappointing 115-93 loss in Game 3 of their second round matchup against the Boston Celtics.
After two bad games that shot the ball, the Boston Celtics recovered well, going 20-40 over the arc of Game 3.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks shot a terrible night, going 5-25 from 3-point range.
Jalen Branson, the Knicks’ most clutch player, scored 27 points, while Karl Anthony Towns added 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the evening.
However, the team won the best because they weren’t offensive enough in this home game.
One player who could not influence the Knicks was OG Anunoby.
Anunoby is one of the most important players on the roster as he can play on both ends of the floor.
The impact he can create is known to everyone, but the 2019 champions were unable to showcase his true abilities as they only scored two points after going 1-6 from the field.
He was the worst team, 25 at +/- and didn’t take part in any play for the Knicks.
The 27-year-old had a similar break with his team’s Game 2 victory. He scored five points there, but only two shots.
Anunoby was great in Game 1 of the Knicks, where he scored 29 points and brought the victory.
He was poor offensively in Game 2, but Anunoby contributed to the defensive side to keep his team in the game.
He was unable to affect either end of the floor of Game 3, resulting in the Knicks’ loss. So if they defeat the Celtics in the second round, Anunoby will have to level up their team.
The Knicks securing victory in the first two games of the series was a big deal for the team.
Paul Pierce had to complete a tough job after the Knicks’ victory, part of what he said before the Game 2 victory.
But the difference between the series is the Celtics shooting.
After going 25-100 from 3-point range in games 1 and 2, the team went 20-40 over the arc of Game 3, breaking out of the slump and securing a dominant victory.
If they keep filming well, the Knicks will have to play better in Game 4 as they could be in trouble.
Tom Thibodeau’s men lack the necessary aggression for the offensive end, which is what helped the Celtics game.
A playoff star, Branson appears to be the only player on the team that wants to score.
Others need to step up if they want to have the opportunity to win.
Josh Hart, who has shot 44% from 3-point range in the playoffs, has retreated from taking shots and hasn’t made it three in the game.
Similarly, the others also looked offensively poor in Game 3. If this doesn’t change, the Celtics could potentially change their lead in future games.