New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau received a simple message for players to match the Boston Celtics in the 3rd game of the Eastern Conference Semi -Finals series.
Knicks, in a row in the game after returning to the 20-point deficits 2-0 ahead of the seven series went ahead. Thibodeau told his players to forget that.
“This is really indifferent, Thib Thibodeau said. “I think the biggest thing is to understand what to get to win Game 3, if there is (in the series). This does not guarantee anything. What we need to understand is what we need to do to win Game 3.”
Meanwhile, Celtics is waiting to play with a desperation clue when Game 3 in New York gives a tips on Saturday afternoon.
Boston finished 61-21 in the normal season and won the second seed in the conference playoffs. However, Celtics prevented great sales in the first two matches of the series, which resulted in 108-105 overtime win by the third seed Knicks in the game 1 and 91-90 wins for Knicks in Game 2.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla knows that the series will not be easier in Madison Square Garden.
Mazzulla, “2-0 you are on the road,” he said. “You understand your environment and what you are against.
“We have fallen 0-2. We have to set out and find a way to win.”
For Boston, this means that Jayson Tatum should play better. In the first two matches, it gets an average of 18 points, but in general, 28.6 percent (12 of 42) and 25 percent beyond arc (5 of 5).
Jaylen Brown (21.5 points per game) and Derrick White (19.5) lead Celtics while scoring goals in the series, but the team struggled to find the rhythm on the offensive. Boston attracts 25 percent of 35.6 percent and 3 points in the first two matches.
Knicks’s top scorer in the series Jalen Brunson, 23 points per game. Josh Hart, with 18.5 points per game, and Karl-Anthony Towns get an average of 17.5 points and 15 rebounds in the first two games.
New York attracts 38.2 percent of 42.8 percent and 3 -point range in total.
Mazzulla was asked whether Boston’s offensive struggles, including loose ball turnover, were the result of the self -made mistakes or Knicks by Celtics.
“I think they’re both,” Mazzulla said. “I think we’re on us, I think better games on me, on our men to make better readings. And frankly Knicks is doing a good job that defends us.”
This is something he wants to continue to see from Thibodeau’s team. He said that it was great that the series was going to Knicks’ home court, but ultimately the mentality of his players would be much more important than the place.
Thibodeau, “We have great fans and fans, arenas and we certainly appreciate them.” He said. “But what we need to understand, the winning game 3 is entering. You should win. You are not given. No guarantee because you are ready for the series. There is no guarantee for being at home. You have to win and you need to win the game after the game.”
-FELD level media
