Despite going 2-0 down and heading down the road to Madison Square Garden, there’s no reason for the NBA champion Boston Celtics to panic.
Amid the unpredictable landscape of the 2025 NBA playoffs, the Boston Celtics are in an unexpected predicament. Despite the dominant regular season and the New York Knicks sweep, the Celtics waste a 20-point lead in back-to-back games and now they’ve gone 0-2 in the series. As the series moves to Madison Square Garden, questions are looming about Boston’s reliance on three-point shooting and their ability to adapt under pressure. The Celtics must rediscover their championship form to avoid early exits from the postseason.
The Boston Radio host blames the Celtics for “not taking the Knicks seriously.”
“They don’t take them seriously. They definitely work against them. I don’t take them seriously… The Knicks are still blown away… They’re trash. They’re trash.” pic.twitter.com/0uxfxkjwnx
– knicksmuse (@knicksmuse) May 9, 2025
The dangers of boundary dependence
Boston’s offensive strategy relied heavily on three-point fire, which rocked at a critical period. In Game 1, the Celtics missed a 3-point attempt of 45 and set up an NBA playoff record, converting only 15 of the 60. Game 2 has improved slightly, but managed only 10 out of 10 out of 40 beyond the arc. This overreliance made the offense predictable, allowing the Knicks to focus on perimeter defense and disrupt Boston’s rhythm. The inability to diversify the Celtics’ offensive approach has become a vulnerable vulnerability New York exploited to seize control of the series. However, it is difficult to ignore how good Boston is throughout the season, and the fact that there is a mathematics average for a reason.
Next is Game 3. pic.twitter.com/xwmq2jwf5u
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 9, 2025
The misery of Boston’s shooting is clear, but the Knicks’ defensive tenacity has helped them win the comeback. Mikal Bridge played clutch defenses in both contests, including game seal steel despite the offensive struggle. Celtics stars Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown struggled to find their footing, shooting 19-5 in Game 2. The limited impact of Kristaps Porziņģis’ illness exacerbates Boston’s challenges. The inability to adapt to New York’s defensive plans using the Celtics lead makes them vulnerable and are looking for answers.
Championship Journey Crossing
Chasing 0-2, the Celtics face a pivotal moment in their quest to protect their title. Historically, teams in this position have steep hills to climb, and only a handful of them can turn such a deficit back. Boston’s advancement requires introspection and adaptability. They must reevaluate their offensive strategies, perhaps reducing their reliance on three-point shots and focusing on creating a high percentage of opportunities.
Defensively, it is paramount to include key New York contributors such as Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. The Celtics’ response in upcoming games will not only determine the outcome of this series, but also define resilience and championship meter.
Next New York Up✈️ pic.twitter.com/nbprjqwjlc
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 9, 2025
The reality is that there is no reason for the Celtics to panic. If you want to bet on one of the best shooting teams of all time, continue this horrifying stretch where they lost two games with a total of 4 points. But it’s not me. Boston is still -100 to win the series in Vegas despite losing two games at home. The reality is that they sometimes dominated both games, while surviving the horrifying shooting. One thing is clear. The Celtics can blow the Knicks away. The kick doesn’t seem to be able to reverse it. So, while Knicks fans celebrate as if they won the title with a 2-0 series lead before reaching the Eastern Conference Finals while doing what they’re doing, they might want to consider the facts. This Celtics team is dangerous for the entire league while the season is alive.