Celtics Crush Knicks in Game 3 Blowout – Key Takeaways Revealed!

Key Insights from the Boston Celtics’ Dominant 115–93 Victory in Game 3 Against the New York Knicks

Success from Downtown. Prior to Saturday’s game, the Celtics had been struggling with their three-point shots, hitting only 25% in the first two matchups, despite many being unguarded attempts. However, in Game 3, their precision improved dramatically to 50% (20-for-40), a frugal attempt rate for Boston. They sank 12 out of 19 in the first half alone, establishing a commanding 25-point lead.

A Cohesive Performance. While improved three-point accuracy was noticeable, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized that their victory was about more than just shooting. Boston excelled in closing out quarters strongly, minimized their turnovers to single digits, effectively targeted Karl-Anthony Towns during switches, and restricted the Knicks to just eight transition points. Mazzulla highlighted that these areas were a major focus in the past 72 hours and mentioned the necessity of embracing challenges during tough times.

Jayson Tatum Shines. Jayson Tatum was due for an outstanding performance and delivered on Saturday, notching 22 points on 8-for-20 shooting, while also grabbing nine rebounds and distributing seven assists. Tatum was the top scorer among the Celtics starters, with three of them (Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White) each posting a plus-23 rating or better.

Breakthrough for Payton Pritchard. While Tatum led the starters, Payton Pritchard stood out with his season-best performance in the playoffs, scoring 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting, which included 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. Pritchard scored seven points in the first quarter as Boston quickly built a 16-point advantage, and he added 13 by halftime. His defensive efforts also contributed to holding the Knicks to 40% shooting.

Can the Knicks Make a Comeback? While much has been said about Boston’s earlier shooting struggles, the Knicks’ offensive performance has also been underwhelming. They shot 42.5% in Game 1 and 43% in Game 2, numbers that are modest compared to their competitors in the playoffs. Despite Jalen Brunson’s efforts, which sparked significant comebacks in the first two games, he was unable to narrow the gap to less than 20 points in the fourth quarter of Game 3.

Support Needed for Brunson. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby struggled, with Towns shooting 5-of-18 and Anunoby going 1-of-6. The Knicks will need a stronger team effort to match Boston’s dynamic offense.

Concerns about Kristaps Porzingis Persist. Yes, concerns remain. Porzingis played only 18 minutes and went 0-of-3 from the field. Throughout the series, he is 3-of-12 and averages just over 15 minutes per game. His performance continues to be affected by a virus that sidelined him for eight games in March. While Boston secured a win in Game 3 without significant contributions from Porzingis, his involvement will be crucial for the Celtics’ continued success in the series.