The New York Knicks are taking a 2-0 lead to Madison Square Garden after running riot in Boston.
The Knicks secured a narrow 91-90 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday and will look to close out the series at home, but Charles Barkley has drawn attention to a major issue with their game at MSG on Saturday.
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A Game 3 win against the Celtics would effectively shut down the series for the Knicks, and they’ll need a cauldron at home to spur them on.
However, Barkley is concerned about the fact that Game 3 will be played at 3:30 pm New York time.
“Man, why are they playing that game at 3:30? That should be a Saturday night in New York City,” Barkley said. “Because it’d be on fire.”
Such an early tip-off time in the NBA is known to have a debilitating impact on the atmosphere across the league.
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However, fans of the Knicks are known to be one of the most passionate, with scenes across the city any time they play demonstrating just how invested they are in the franchise.
So with the Knicks on the verge of the Eastern Conference Finals, perhaps no tip-off time could stop them from loudly backing the team.
And if New York can continue to rally with the determination they have had in their two wins against Boston, Knicks fans will have a lot to cheer about in the coming week.
As Wednesday’s win was another demonstration of that fightback spirit that has characterised the Knicks’ playoff campaign this season.
For the second-straight game, they were in a hole as they overturned a 20-point comeback.
Brunson was again instrumental as he scored 17 points with two game-winning free throws with 12 seconds left for a 91-90 lead.
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After he made those shots, Jayson Tatum got the ball trying to steal a win, but Mikal Bridges, just like in Game 1, moved in to bat it out of his hand and secure the victory.
“Just finding ways to win,” Bridges said when asked about how his team is pulling off these comebacks.
Bridges scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, while Josh Hart scored 23 and Karl Anthony Towns finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds.
The Knicks are two home wins away from pulling off a remarkable upset against the defending champions
“Going home, we realize the opportunity we have. We just have to stay locked in,” Brunson said.
Hart believes the Knicks can play better, and after being down 20 points in both games, there is certainly another level to unlock.
“I don’t even think we know what we’re capable of,” he said.
The Knicks will host the Celtics for Game 3 on Saturday and Game 4 on Monday with Boston looking to ensure the series gets back to home court.
