Alive and well, Boston Celtics out to even series against New York Knicks in Game 6

NEW YORK – It appears it was not mentioned to the Boston Celtics that they were supposed to go away quietly in the wake of Jayson Tatum’s devastating Achilles injury.

The Celtics were loud and boisterous while facing elimination and won in dominant fashion on May 14.

Now, they have the opportunity to even the National Basketball Association (NBA) Eastern Conference semi-finals at three games apiece when they visit the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on May 16 (May 17, Singapore time).

Tatum’s injury in Game 4 inspired Boston, who delivered a 127-102 home rout in Game 5. While he is their star man, the Celtics are 10-2 without Tatum this season, including 2-0 in the play-offs.

“It’s easy to kind of write things off. Obviously, unfortunate what happened to JT, but we’ve still got basketball to be played. I believe in this group. Don’t count us out just yet,” Boston co-star and forward Jaylen Brown said.

The lopsided Game 5 victory transfers the pressure to the Knicks, who need to wrap up the series to avoid a Game 7 at TD Garden on May 19.

New York star Jalen Brunson could feel the urgency after his team were outscored by 25 points in the second half. He also made it clear the Knicks did not relax due to Tatum’s misfortune.

“No, not at all. Yes, they are missing a big piece, but they are a well-oiled machine that has been in situations where they’ve played without him, and they’ve played well,” the guard said.

“We need to understand that and trust the game plan and play to win. It’s as simple as that.”

Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis did not play in the second half of Game 5 due to ongoing issues with a viral illness. He had one point and one rebound in 12 first-half minutes.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said that the centre was having trouble breathing. However, his departure proved to be a stroke of good luck, as journeyman Luke Kornet stepped up in the second half and finished with 10 points on five-of-five shooting, nine rebounds and seven blocked shots.

“I feel like it was just trying to make plays. Obviously, our season’s on the line, so I’m just trying to have a lot of energy, make plays,” Kornet said.

“I feel like everybody stepped up and we were very connected and very aggressive and forceful and, obviously, did our job for the day. Now we have to get up and do it again, and it’ll require different things on Friday.”

Regardless of who Boston have on the floor, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau will be studying intently to make the right adjustments.

“They have a lot of shooting on the floor, that’s going to remain the same,” he said.

“The thing about their team is they are a great defensive team as well. We can’t be slow getting back, and you can’t give open shots to them. We have to be closer with our close-outs and be better with our communication.”

Though New York still hold the series lead, NBA champions Boston are carrying the momentum as they attempt to win their second straight elimination game.

“We did what was necessary to do and what we needed to do to get it back to New York. You don’t get to pick the test that you have, you pick how you respond to them,” Mazzulla said.

Over at Ball Arena on May 15, Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and unheralded bench player Julian Strawther produced a crucial late burst as the Denver Nuggets clinched a series-levelling 119-107 victory over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

A hard-fought Western Conference semi-final series will now go to a decisive Game 7 at Paycom Centre on May 18, after another ferocious duel between two evenly matched teams.

REUTERS, AFP

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