CELTICS 97, KNICKS 90 OT
This was a golden opportunity wasted by the New York Knicks. Leading three games to none in the best-of-seven first round series, all the Knicks had to do was put their foot down on the worn down Boston Celtics, and they could get some much needed time-off before partaking in what will be a very physical second round.
Instead New York fell behind by as much as 20-points, only to come all the way back to tie, but -thanks to some rather poor shooting by Carmelo Anthony - could never cap-off the effort and take full control of the game.
The result: the Knicks lose game four, and, now have to close it out at home on Wednesday.
The Knicks miraculous comeback started in the third quarter, as New York outscored Boston 30-14 in the period. Raymond Felton, who has had a monster series, was gigantic in game four. Felton dropped 17 points in the quarter, with three three-pointers, non bigger than the 26-foot three-ball that he hit with time running out in the quarter to cut the Celtics lead to three, 68-65.
After Felton's third quarter heroics, it looked like New York was destined to come all the way back to win this game and sweep the Celtics.
For a while it looked plausible, as the Knicks battled to an 82 all tie thanks to buckets by Anthony, Kenyon Martin and Iman Shumpert.
But, that is where the fun would end for the Knicks. With the game still tied at 82, Kevin Garnett turned the ball over to the Knicks. Jason Kidd had Anthony open for a possible shot, but after receiving the pass, Anthony missed what could have been a game-changing 25-foot three pointer that would have given the Knicks the lead.
After Kidd rebounded the ball, he passed it back out the Anthony who proceeded to miss a 19-foot jumper for the lead. Anthony would later miss an easier 14-foot jumper in the same sequence. Three chances to take the lead -- three chances blown by the Knicks.
With the clock ticking past the two minute mark, Anthony drew a foul from Jeff Green, as he tried to desperately take one last shot at the hoop. Now at the line, Anthony who has been so good from the free-throw line suddenly turned into Shaquille O'Neal, as he missed both foul shots keeping the game tied at 82.
With the second chance at life, the Celtics took full advantage. Paul Pierce nailed a 17-foot jumper to give the Boston an 86-84 lead to start overtime. After Raymond Felton tied it on a bucket of his own, Garnett answered with his own jump shot to give the Celtics the lead again.
The Knicks offense soon went limp the rest of the way, as New York missed four of its final five shots. Jason Terry posted the next nine points for Boston, as the Celtics survived 97-90.
This was a golden opportunity wasted by the New York Knicks. Leading three games to none in the best-of-seven first round series, all the Knicks had to do was put their foot down on the worn down Boston Celtics, and they could get some much needed time-off before partaking in what will be a very physical second round.
Instead New York fell behind by as much as 20-points, only to come all the way back to tie, but -thanks to some rather poor shooting by Carmelo Anthony - could never cap-off the effort and take full control of the game.
The result: the Knicks lose game four, and, now have to close it out at home on Wednesday.The Knicks miraculous comeback started in the third quarter, as New York outscored Boston 30-14 in the period. Raymond Felton, who has had a monster series, was gigantic in game four. Felton dropped 17 points in the quarter, with three three-pointers, non bigger than the 26-foot three-ball that he hit with time running out in the quarter to cut the Celtics lead to three, 68-65.
After Felton's third quarter heroics, it looked like New York was destined to come all the way back to win this game and sweep the Celtics.
For a while it looked plausible, as the Knicks battled to an 82 all tie thanks to buckets by Anthony, Kenyon Martin and Iman Shumpert.
But, that is where the fun would end for the Knicks. With the game still tied at 82, Kevin Garnett turned the ball over to the Knicks. Jason Kidd had Anthony open for a possible shot, but after receiving the pass, Anthony missed what could have been a game-changing 25-foot three pointer that would have given the Knicks the lead.
After Kidd rebounded the ball, he passed it back out the Anthony who proceeded to miss a 19-foot jumper for the lead. Anthony would later miss an easier 14-foot jumper in the same sequence. Three chances to take the lead -- three chances blown by the Knicks.
With the clock ticking past the two minute mark, Anthony drew a foul from Jeff Green, as he tried to desperately take one last shot at the hoop. Now at the line, Anthony who has been so good from the free-throw line suddenly turned into Shaquille O'Neal, as he missed both foul shots keeping the game tied at 82.
With the second chance at life, the Celtics took full advantage. Paul Pierce nailed a 17-foot jumper to give the Boston an 86-84 lead to start overtime. After Raymond Felton tied it on a bucket of his own, Garnett answered with his own jump shot to give the Celtics the lead again.
The Knicks offense soon went limp the rest of the way, as New York missed four of its final five shots. Jason Terry posted the next nine points for Boston, as the Celtics survived 97-90.
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