The Boston Celtics went into their high-profile matchup with the New York Knicks on Saturday night riding their longest winning streak of the year, continuing a season that has seen them amass an incredible lead over the rest of the league for the top record in the NBA. Despite a close-knit first half, the Celtics went on a tear in the second half, winning 116-102 to extend their winning run to eight games.
Jaylen Brown had a big night, leading the Celtics with 30 points on a night where Jayson Tatum (19 points, 7-of-15 shooting) took a step back to let his teammates shine. All five of Boston’s starts scoring in double figures, along with Al Horford off the bench, and the team shot a blistering 58% from the field and 43% from three, overwhelming the injury-diminished Knicks. Star guard Jalen Brunson gave an admirable effort, scoring 34 points and dishing nine assists, but the Knicks had only one other player score in double figures (Josh Hart, 16) while the game was still competitive. They just didn’t have the firepower to keep up.
It was clear from away that Brunson would be the conduit for New York’s hopes. The Knicks needed every point Brunson could bring them because they were still without Julius Randle (shoulder) and OG Anunoby (elbow), so they started playing pick-and-rolls with him early. With his 13 points in the first quarter, Brunson—along with Alec Burks’ (3 FGA)—was the only other Knick to try more than two shots, and his 1-on-1 performance virtually kept New York in the game. After Brown scored ten points of his own in response, the Celtics lead 30-26 at the end of the first quarter.
Notably, this was a quiet first half for Tatum. He attempted just two shots in the opening quarter of the game, and followed it up with just three more in the second frame, totaling just seven points. It felt like another data point in the ongoing debate regarding Tatum’s supporting cast and how it influences his candidacy for MVP. But, from the Celtics’ perspective, their franchise player’s willingness to take a backseat when called for remains a benefit. Brown was cooking and the role players were playing well; it never felt as though the Celtics were in need of a Tatum takeover in the first half.
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