{"id":2876,"date":"2025-05-09T18:17:49","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T22:17:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/jalen-brunson-ignites-as-knicks-battle-celtics-inside-the-shooting-showdown\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T18:17:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T22:17:53","slug":"jalen-brunson-ignites-as-knicks-battle-celtics-inside-the-shooting-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/jalen-brunson-ignites-as-knicks-battle-celtics-inside-the-shooting-showdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Jalen Brunson Ignites as Knicks Battle Celtics: Inside the Shooting Showdown!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Highlights from the New York Knicks\u2019 thrilling 108\u2013105 comeback victory in overtime against the Boston Celtics in the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinals\u2026<\/p>\n

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Is Jalen Brunson the ultimate game finisher?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Absolutely. Following his dazzling performance against Ausar Thompson that concluded the Detroit Pistons\u2019 hopes in Game 6 of the first-round series, Brunson showcased his exceptional skills in the latter half of Monday\u2019s game. He netted 20 points on 10 shots in the second half and tallied 11 in the fourth quarter from just five attempts. Brunson orchestrated a remarkable 20-point rally with 18 minutes remaining against one of the top defensive teams in the NBA (Boston was fourth in defensive rating), even while being guarded by one of the league\u2019s best defenders, Jrue Holiday.<\/p>\n

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In Game 1, Brunson lived up to his title as the NBA\u2019s Clutch Player of the Year. <\/p>\n

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\u201cHe thrives in these moments,\u201d said Mikal Bridges. \u201cHe relishes the role of being the man, especially in away games, quieting the crowd and leading us to victory. It\u2019s just in his nature.\u201d <\/p>\n

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At a listed height of 6′ 2″ and predominantly playing below the rim, Brunson\u2019s ability to dominate late in the game is extraordinary. It wasn\u2019t only Holiday who struggled against him; elite defenders like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard also fell victim. Even against big men like Al Horford, known for their perimeter defense, Brunson was unstoppable, burning past whoever stood in his way.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s a master of the basics,\u201d remarked Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. \u201cHe\u2019s faced bigger players and quicker, smaller opponents. He\u2019s handled double teams well, knows how to create space, and makes the right moves without fighting the pressure. He knows how to find openings.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe kept telling each other to keep the faith,\u201d Brunson stated. \u201cWe had to keep battling, stay united, and chip away at their lead. We knew there wasn\u2019t going to be a quick, easy solution; we needed to take it one possession at a time and continue securing stops.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Boston\u2019s three-point strategy backfires<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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The statistics are well-known: a record number of three-pointers made and attempted during the regular season, with averages of 17.8 makes and 48.2 attempts per game, surpassing previous records. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla often mentions his comfort with the volume of threes his team takes, and Boston\u2019s gameplay reflects that.<\/p>\n

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However, this approach resulted in a new record for most missed three-pointers (45) in a playoff game. The Celtics attempted 60 threes in Game 1, making only 15. In the third quarter alone, 19 of their 20 shots were from beyond the arc. Jaylen Brown made just 1 of 10, Jayson Tatum 4 of 15, while White hit 5 of 16. In the final quarter, their three-point success rate was a mere 13.3%.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI look at the process and the quality of shots,\u201d Mazzulla explained. \u201cThe shot quality was there. The points in the paint were even\u2026 it\u2019s about the process and what we\u2019re trying to achieve, and for the most part, we accomplished that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Boston is undeniably skilled at shooting threes, having seven players who are above-average from that range. However, a little more balance might be necessary. In Game 1, it seemed as though three-pointers were the only shots Boston wanted to take. White passed up a clear four-foot shot in the last quarter, opting instead to pass for a three. Shortly after, Horford declined a layup. Later, Brown acknowledged that some of the threes felt forced.<\/p>\n

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Despite the analytics supporting Boston\u2019s high volume of three-point attempts\u2014they had a 28\u20135 record in the regular season when attempting between 50 and 59 threes\u2014a slight reduction might have prevented their current 0\u20131 series deficit.<\/p>\n

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OG Anunoby outshines Jayson Tatum<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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New York received significant contributions from its role players, with Anunoby\u2019s performance being a standout. Tatum, who had excelled against the Knicks during the regular season with an average of 33.5 points per game, was limited to 23 points on 7-for-23 shooting in Game 1. Anunoby not only contained Tatum defensively but also contributed 29 points offensively. If Anunoby continues to outperform Tatum, it could spell trouble for Boston.<\/p>\n

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