2025 NBA PLAYOFFS East Semifinals: #2 Boston Celtics vs #3 New York Knicks (NYK leads 2-0)

[cgf]

Honestly, I didn't know they had this in them. They didn't play this way at all during the regular season and then Detroit was a tougher matchup than I think even we realized. This looks like a completely different team.

Boston ain't the only ones who can play regular season possum.

I wish I could say I knew they had this in them with certainty…but I always thought it was very possible if we got our top 7 healthy for the playoffs, and that the gap was closer than people made it out to be. It’s why I’ve been arguing we were the 4th best team in the league on here throughout the regular season, and that the Knicks / Pacers / Wolves, would make those top 3 earn it if we hit them with our respective A-games.

But I also expected that Detroit matchup to be exactly as tough as it was…saw an old post of mine today where I said I thought we’d beat them “in 5 or 6 grueling battles”…because I thought the pistons could’ve done what they did this year, last year; if Cade hadn’t gotten hurt, Bogey hadn’t gotten washed up, & Monte had given a f***.

So that series…and the way the first 4 games of that Orlando - Boston series echoed it, as well as the way Indy / Minny bodied the Bucks & Lakers, like I thought they would…actually made me feel more confident in my read of this playoff field.


Though I may be underestimating how much the league will let the warriors get away with in the playoffs…especially now that Steph is hurt…in counting them out.

Well, I think the majority of the "Fire Thibs" mantra came because it was readily apparent that the team could perform better and harder than it was, even with Mitch out. We just didn't know they were waiting

We're not used to a team that wins and isn't leaving everything out there in every win. Especially going back to the 90s.

Thibs never stops learning & adapting, the doubters just couldn’t see the forest for the trees

[bisme37]

Holy crap you guys I am fried today. I have some tiny peabrain issues from when I smashed my head all up in a car crash and I'm prone to mental overload and headaches etc. These stressful ass games do a number on me, and then when the C's lose I don't even get the little endorphin boost of happiness at the end lol. I couldn't even go to work today ugh.

I thought the C's played like crap all of Game 1, even when they had built a lead, but the Knicks were playing like crap too... until they picked it up late and went on their run, and the C's just kept sucking. I was able to kinda brush that off and figured the C's would bounce back in a big way.

Last night I thought the C's played pretty well for most of the game, aside from they are still missing open shots they usually make. Which is painful to watch but I try to not get too mad about that since I know the guys aren't out there trying to miss lol. The Knicks defense has been terrific in a lot of ways but they are still giving up a lot of 3's, and that should be playing into the C's hands, but they aren't converting. (Shout out to OG while I'm talking about Knicks defense- the dude is really good.) Honestly I thought there were possessions last night where the C's had an open shot they'd usually take without hesitation and likely make, but with all the talk about too many 3's in Game 1, I felt like it was in their heads and made them overthink shots at times instead of just playing their game and taking the open shot.

When the Knicks went on their run (again!) late in the game, the C's had 3 or 4 open 3's in a row, which were good shots imo, but they missed them and the pressure kept building. And then as the 4th went on they did not handle that pressure well at all. Which is not really what I was expecting from the defending champs. That's supposed to be their time to shine, but they've looked like an inexperienced team and a huge mess. Unpleasant!

So yeah. That's my thoughts on the basketball. Very impressed with the Knicks. Now I'm going back to bed, so moderate yourselves today haha.

[Mavrelous]

Holy crap you guys I am fried today. I have some tiny peabrain issues from when I smashed my head all up in a car crash and I'm prone to mental overload and headaches etc. These stressful ass games do a number on me, and then when the C's lose I don't even get the little endorphin boost of happiness lol. I couldn't even go to work today ugh.

I thought the C's played like crap all of Game 1, even when they had built a lead, but the Knicks were playing like crap too... until they picked it up late and went on their run, and the C's just kept sucking. I was able to kind brush that off and figured the C's would bounce back in a big way.

Last night I thought the C's played pretty well for most of the game, aside from they are still missing open shots they usually make. Which is painful to watch but I try to not get too mad about that since I know the guys aren't out there trying to miss lol. The Knicks defense has been terrific in a lot of ways but they are still giving up a lot of 3's, and that should be playing into the C's hands, but they aren't converting. (Shout out to OG while I'm talking about Knicks defense- the dude is really good.) Honestly I thought there were possessions last night where the C's had an open shot they'd usually take without hesitation and likely make, but with all the talk about too many 3's in Game 1, I felt like it was in their heads and made them overthink shots at times instead of just playing their game and taking the open shot.

When the Knicks went on their run (again!) late in the game, the C's had 3 or 4 open 3's in a row, which were good shots imo, but they missed them and the pressure kept building. And then as the 4th went on they did not handle that pressure well at all. Which is not really what I was expecting from the defending champs. That's supposed to be their time to shine, but they've looked like an inexperienced team and a huge mess. Unpleasant!

So yeah. That's my thoughts on the basketball. Very impressed with the Knicks. Now I'm going back to bed, so moderate yourselves today haha.

Sucks to hear, get well soon!

[Hans1984]

The refs did everything they could to make sure Boston wins and New York still managed to win the game. The Knicks fans can be really proud of this team.

[The KnicksFix]

I highly doubt the Celtics get sweeped. I think they for sure are winning 1 in NY.

Yea but did you think the Knicks would have taken both in Bos?

Absolutely not. But let's not act like these aren't eh defending champs and one of the most potent offense when there shoots are falling. You remember when they came back from a 3-0 deficit vs Miami to tie it 3-3 (I get they lost game 7, with the shoots not falling once again), two playoffs ago right? All it takes is for some shoots to start falling and thinks can change very quickly. They were up 20 in both of these games not shooting the ball very well from 3.

I agree. I’m still not content. We can’t win being down 20 and 16 in the 4th. We need 2 more games and these are the champs. They aren’t going to go easy into the night. At the same time. I have to give them credit for the heart they showed in these last two games up in Boston. I have to give them credit, but we aren’t satisfied and are still respecting what the Celtics can do.

[Woodsanity]

Holy crap you guys I am fried today. I have some tiny peabrain issues from when I smashed my head all up in a car crash and I'm prone to mental overload and headaches etc. These stressful ass games do a number on me, and then when the C's lose I don't even get the little endorphin boost of happiness at the end lol. I couldn't even go to work today ugh.

I thought the C's played like crap all of Game 1, even when they had built a lead, but the Knicks were playing like crap too... until they picked it up late and went on their run, and the C's just kept sucking. I was able to kinda brush that off and figured the C's would bounce back in a big way.

Last night I thought the C's played pretty well for most of the game, aside from they are still missing open shots they usually make. Which is painful to watch but I try to not get too mad about that since I know the guys aren't out there trying to miss lol. The Knicks defense has been terrific in a lot of ways but they are still giving up a lot of 3's, and that should be playing into the C's hands, but they aren't converting. (Shout out to OG while I'm talking about Knicks defense- the dude is really good.) Honestly I thought there were possessions last night where the C's had an open shot they'd usually take without hesitation and likely make, but with all the talk about too many 3's in Game 1, I felt like it was in their heads and made them overthink shots at times instead of just playing their game and taking the open shot.

When the Knicks went on their run (again!) late in the game, the C's had 3 or 4 open 3's in a row, which were good shots imo, but they missed them and the pressure kept building. And then as the 4th went on they did not handle that pressure well at all. Which is not really what I was expecting from the defending champs. That's supposed to be their time to shine, but they've looked like an inexperienced team and a huge mess. Unpleasant!

So yeah. That's my thoughts on the basketball. Very impressed with the Knicks. Now I'm going back to bed, so moderate yourselves today haha.

The Celtics are just too reliant on the 3 which works well when its falling but when it doesn't they don't seem to have a backup plan. It seems like in game 2 Mazzula had no plans to change anything and just wanted to stick to the same plan which is a grave mistake considering how much offensive talent the Celtics have.

I blame the two Celtics losses for the following reasons in order:

1. Great Knicks defense and great late game execution.
2. Mazzula being outcoached by Thibs.
3. Celtics overreliance on the 3 ball.
4. Tatum and co playing under par.
5. Celtics very poor late game execution.
6. Porzingis mystery injury?

At any rate hope you feel better soon.

[Woodsanity]

Yea but did you think the Knicks would have taken both in Bos?

Absolutely not. But let's not act like these aren't eh defending champs and one of the most potent offense when there shoots are falling. You remember when they came back from a 3-0 deficit vs Miami to tie it 3-3 (I get they lost game 7, with the shoots not falling once again), two playoffs ago right? All it takes is for some shoots to start falling and thinks can change very quickly. They were up 20 in both of these games not shooting the ball very well from 3.

I agree. I’m still not content. We can’t win being down 20 and 16 in the 4th. We need 2 more games and these are the champs. They aren’t going to go easy into the night. At the same time. I have to give them credit for the heart they showed in these last two games up in Boston. I have to give them credit, but we aren’t satisfied and are still respecting what the Celtics can do.

Ngl I am confident that our Knicks players have the right mentality. I don't think they will take their legs off the gas pedal just because we are up 2-0.

Its still possible Celtics can come back from this. Never let them off until we win 4.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Read on Twitter

[___Rand___]

Holy crap you guys I am fried today. I have some tiny peabrain issues from when I smashed my head all up in a car crash and I'm prone to mental overload and headaches etc. These stressful ass games do a number on me, and then when the C's lose I don't even get the little endorphin boost of happiness at the end lol. I couldn't even go to work today ugh.

I thought the C's played like crap all of Game 1, even when they had built a lead, but the Knicks were playing like crap too... until they picked it up late and went on their run, and the C's just kept sucking. I was able to kinda brush that off and figured the C's would bounce back in a big way.

Last night I thought the C's played pretty well for most of the game, aside from they are still missing open shots they usually make. Which is painful to watch but I try to not get too mad about that since I know the guys aren't out there trying to miss lol. The Knicks defense has been terrific in a lot of ways but they are still giving up a lot of 3's, and that should be playing into the C's hands, but they aren't converting. (Shout out to OG while I'm talking about Knicks defense- the dude is really good.) Honestly I thought there were possessions last night where the C's had an open shot they'd usually take without hesitation and likely make, but with all the talk about too many 3's in Game 1, I felt like it was in their heads and made them overthink shots at times instead of just playing their game and taking the open shot.

When the Knicks went on their run (again!) late in the game, the C's had 3 or 4 open 3's in a row, which were good shots imo, but they missed them and the pressure kept building. And then as the 4th went on they did not handle that pressure well at all. Which is not really what I was expecting from the defending champs. That's supposed to be their time to shine, but they've looked like an inexperienced team and a huge mess. Unpleasant!

So yeah. That's my thoughts on the basketball. Very impressed with the Knicks. Now I'm going back to bed, so moderate yourselves today haha.

Hey dude, take it easy man. I've had head injury issues from concussions so I empathize where you're at. No team is worth stressing your brain for.

[GiannisAnte34]

Does getting knocked out in rd 2 put the fraud label on this Celtics team? Felt like all year long the Celtics were talked about as the favorite to win it all

[Woodsanity]

Does getting knocked out in rd 2 put the fraud label on this Celtics team? Felt like all year long the Celtics were talked about as the favorite to win it all

It would be disappointing. I wouldn't say fraud since they already won a ring with this team. Have to give Knicks credit they are better than last season too.

[___Rand___]

Read on Twitter

Yeah they have done excellent job defending. Celtics still have OG PTSD from Raptors' days.

[___Rand___]

Does getting knocked out in rd 2 put the fraud label on this Celtics team? Felt like all year long the Celtics were talked about as the favorite to win it all

If they get knocked out here, I think it's fair for trolls to troll them and I wouldn't have a problem. But their talent on that team is real, not fraudulent. Maybe the mental preparation, scheme (i.e. coaching decisions) can be questioned.

[GiannisAnte34]

Does getting knocked out in rd 2 put the fraud label on this Celtics team? Felt like all year long the Celtics were talked about as the favorite to win it all

It would be disappointing. I wouldn't say fraud since they already won a ring with this team. Have to give Knicks credit they are better than last season too.

Just remember a lot of Celtics fans calling the Bucks frauds for losing in 7 in the 2nd rd when Middleton got injured

[The4thHorseman]

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[Woodsanity]

Does getting knocked out in rd 2 put the fraud label on this Celtics team? Felt like all year long the Celtics were talked about as the favorite to win it all

It would be disappointing. I wouldn't say fraud since they already won a ring with this team. Have to give Knicks credit they are better than last season too.

Just remember a lot of Celtics fans calling the Bucks frauds for losing in 7 in the 2nd rd when Middleton got injured

Celtics lucked out to be honest.

[omerome]

Read on Twitter

Bridges and OG had Tatum in basketball jail.

[LFGK]

I mean they did win a playoff game on the road
I hear you though that the Cs had a lot go bad and blew a 20 point lead at home and it’s not likely that they miss that many open 3s again, but still, Knicks played good D and overcame a bunch of missed free throws to win on the road. They have every right to be excited. It’s going to be a tough series, Will see what Brown and Tatum are made of. Knicks came through in the clutch. Celtics didn’t.

They won by a basket.

Am I supposed to bend the knee and capitulate my entire take because they win by a single basket in game 1?

I don't think so.

Celtics in 5.

Your incessant trolling is all the more laughable now.

6* 7* 8*

[AFM]

He meant Celtics in 5 next year