Knicks Get Punched in the Mouth at MSG — Can They Punch Back in Game 4?

Madison Square Garden was supposed to be a fortress. A raucous sea of blue and orange. A place where the Celtics would come in and get rattled, maybe even broken. Instead, They showed up, kicked in the door, and reminded everyone exactly why they are the defending Champions

Boston didn’t just win Game 3 — they embarrassed the Knicks. Final score: Celtics 115, Knicks 93 And honestly, it didn’t even feel that close.

The series now sits at 2-1, and if you’re a Knicks fan — like most of us around here you’ve got a mix of emotions heading into Game 4: concern, frustration, maybe a little fear… and yeah, still some hope. But that hope needs a reality check, fast.

Let’s not sugarcoat this. The Celtics are the better team and if they shoot threes at a 50% clip even the Knicks at their very best probably can’t beat them. As good as Jalen Brunson is and has been for this team he simply can’t do it himself. The Knicks are at their best when all 5 starters contribute. Unlike some superstars in this league Brunson doesn’t have to be the best player on the floor wearing orange and blue for the Knicks to win. in fact you could argue they’re at there very best when he’s not. Game two is a prime example of this. Brunson needs to be effective and when you need a bucket in a big spot they will obviously call on number 11 to get the job done but over the course of 48 minutes he doesn’t need to be the focal point of the offense for the Knicks to win.

In Game 3 there was no help? Josh Hart who looked like a revelation in Games 1 and especially 2, was taken out of his rhythm early. OG? Cold. 2 points. The Knicks go into game 4 up 2-1 but with their backs against the wall. The fact is they will not win this series if it goes back to Boston tied 2-2

Give the Celtics credit. Jayson Tatum finally looked like Jayson Tatum — smooth, aggressive, and in full control. Jaylen Brown played with a chip on his shoulder, and the Celtics defense suffocated New York all night. Even their role guys — Derrick White, Al Horford, and especially Payton Pritchard — who scored 23 points off the bench

This wasn’t a fluke. It was a full-on message: we’re better, and we just reminded you.

If the Knicks want to avoid handing back all the momentum they fought for in Games 1 and 2, they need to show something Monday night. Energy, Urgency, Physicality, are all things to look for to get an early indication of how the game might go 

Mitchell Robinsonhas let his Shaq like free throw ability get to his head and it’s affecting the rest of his game. The Knicks are going to need to figure out how to counter Pritchard and get some production out of their bench and that can start with Mitchell Robinson, but it won’t if he lets the fact that he can barely hit the rim from the charity stripe go to his head. Boston came into the Mecca and bullied the Knicks  in every way possible. Watch for  Precious Achiuwa to possibly be a wildcard for the Knicks in game 4. Thibs gave him some minutes on Saturday and he could be a bit of a spark plug if needed Monday night.

Tonight it’s the Knicks that need to play like the desperate team who’s season could be on the line because as far as this Knicks fan is concerned they are, and it is.  The Garden Faithful will show up, the atmosphere at the Mecca will be electric, as it always is this time of year. Unfortunately as we all saw Saturday night the atmosphere and the Energy that at times can be unmatched in any other arena can’t sustain itself if the team on the floor doesn’t do its part. Can the Knicks Feed off the energy and take back control of this series? The great thing about sports is questions like this one will always get answered.

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