The New York Knicks continue the start of their regular season on the road for the first time this year when they travel to Boston to take on the Celtics in TD Garden on Friday night.
After opening day losses on Tuesday for the Knicks and Celtics, both teams now move on to Friday hoping to get their first win of the year. In the Knicks’ 106-100 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Sixers starting five outmatched New York’s championship five.
Knicks’ All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns had a rough first quarter as he committed two personal fouls in the first three minutes of play. Towns sat on the bench for 13 minutes before returning in the middle of the second quarter. When the big man returned, he quickly picked up his third personal foul, and he finished the first half with just five points in six minutes. Fast-forwarding to the fourth quarter, down the stretch in a close contest, Towns scored a key 10 points, shooting 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-2 from three.
The big man finished the game with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks in 24 minutes. Towns was the only starter not to log 30-plus minutes as he remained on the bench for the majority of the game. Entering his 12th season in the NBA, foul trouble has continued to follow Towns throughout his career as he has picked up unnecessary fouls. The Knicks starters needed him on Tuesday as they had poor shooting nights. However, Towns was one of the few efficient players, shooting 6-for-9 from the field and 3-for-4 from three-point range. The All-Star center needs to be committed to playing smart basketball while remaining on the floor for his team. Towns is such an important piece for the Knicks and needs to continue to buy in on both the offensive and defensive sides of the floor.
In his anticipated Knicks season debut, Knicks’ new backup center Andre Drummond stepped up for Towns. He had a 12-point, 14 rebound double-double, including seven offensive rebounds. Drummond recorded the impressive stat in the first half as the former Sixer stepped up in his role by attacking the boards and setting great screens. By the end of the first half, Drummond had 10 points and 12 rebounds. It was his 71st career first-half double-double, which is more than any other player in NBA history. Aside from Drummond, the rest of the Knicks bench players played a huge role with the depth being a factor.
Knicks’ guard Jose Alvarado scored eight points in 16 minutes as he brought the intensity and fire on both sides of the floor. Alvarado also had two steals and is one of the best players in the NBA at swiping the ball away from his opponents. New York’s bench finished the game with 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 13 assists as they provide major depth allowing Coach Mike Brown to turn to his second-unit at any time.
The Celtics also lost in a close 121-113 matchup on the road against the Detroit Pistons. In the second half, the Celtics blew a 22-point lead as Boston lost even with a great regular season debut performance from Paul George. The newest Celtic scored 38 points which is the all-time franchise record for the most points by a Celtic in their debut. George was impressive all game long and made his impact felt on both sides of the ball. George shot 12-for-21 from the field and a hot 7-for-12 from three in 31 minutes of action. He continues to find his rhythm and is fully healthy for the first time over the past few years. George was able to find his spots on all three levels, scoring from inside the paint, from midrange, and from beyond the arc.
Celtics’ forward Jayson Tatum struggled shooting the basketball, going 6-for-23 from the field and 0-for-7 from three. Despite the shooting woes, Tatum still managed to be the Celtics’ point forward having the ball in his hands and making decisions scoring and passing the ball. Tatum finished the game with 11 assists, and each year he elevates his passing game with the Celtics leaning on him to be the team’s best player.
Despite blowing a huge lead and the Pistons at one point going on a 23-0 run, the Celtics went 17-for-42 from three shooting 40 percent from range. The team’s formula remains the same under coach Joe Mazzulla as the past few seasons as the Celtics are one of the top teams in attempted and makes from three point range.
If the Knicks and Celtics want to get their first win of the season, both teams have to improve on errors they made on opening night. New York simply has got to shoot the ball better, starting with Finals MVP ‘ Jalen Brunson. Despite his 21 points on Tuesday evening, the Knicks start and finish with him leading the charge. Brunson shot 6-for-19 from the field and he looks to be better come Friday. The Knicks have to ramp up on the defensive side of the ball and be committed for all four quarters of play. Also, the Knicks’ two forwards OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges have to pick up their level of play on both sides of the ball as on Friday the primary thing to look for will be the wing matchup with Anunoby and Bridges going up against Tatum and George in a anticipated battle.
For the Celtics, they need to find other ways besides jacking up three point shots to be effective. The team needs to drive more to the basket to create shots or get fouled to get extra opportunities at the line. Boston only went to the line 21 times, going 16-for-21 from the stripe to Detroit’s 28-for-32 night at the line. All-NBA forward, Tatum also has to shoot the ball way better and be more aggressive for his team. With Tatum’s former-teammate Jaylen Brown being traded this offseason, there’s no doubt this is Tatum’s team now. Both he and the coaching staff collectively have to find ways to draw up plays and possessions for more opportunities to get going offensively.
The Knicks have another anticipated matchup going up against former long-tenured Knick, Mitchell Robinson. The big man spent eight full seasons in New York, but this summer, Robinson signed a huge contract with the Celtics in free agency. The Knicks were unwilling to pay Robinson coming off a championship months back. Now fans will get to watch the two rival teams go at it.
Which team will get their first win of the season, and which will remain winless at 0-2?
