The New York Knicks’ robust season has one severe doubt levied in opposition to it amid their failure in opposition to elite groups.
Tom Thibodeau’s New York Knicks are third within the Japanese Convention with a 37-19 document.
But there may be one drawback irritating the staff that has seen them labelled as ‘pretenders’. The Knicks have been unable to beat both of the 2 rivals in entrance of them within the standings.
On February 21 the Knicks misplaced 142-105 to high seed Cleveland Cavaliers. It was not only a loss, it was a beatdown.
Midway by means of a two-game stretch to try to change the narrative, the Knicks tackle the Boston Celtics subsequent on Sunday evening.
In two video games this season the Knicks have misplaced twice to the Celtics, the reigning NBA champions.
ESPN professional Tim Bontemps has already dominated out the possibilities of the Knicks successful at TD Backyard. And he pointed in the direction of large man Karl-Anthony Cities as a weak point the Celtics are in a position to exploit.
He advised the community: “I’ve been at each Celtic-Knicks video games, I don’t suppose they’ve acquired any probability in opposition to the Boston Celtics.
“The Celtics are in a position to stretch out the Knicks defensively, Karl Cities actually has to get all the best way to the three level line, he doesn’t deal with that very nicely.
“That’s why the Knicks misplaced the primary recreation. Celtics are simply an excessive amount of for them to deal with.”
If there may be one excuse the Knicks can supply up for his or her enormous loss to the Cavaliers, it’s that they weren’t totally wholesome.
Josh Hart missed the sport, whereas OG Anunoby was working his approach again from lacking the primary evening of the back-to-back in opposition to the Bulls an evening earlier.
Miles McBride contributed from the bench simply 5 factors, unable to match his heroics the evening earlier than.
If the Celtics recreation goes the identical approach because the Cavs loss, then these two video games will do nothing to dissuade their doubters.
And they’ll even have a dangerous psychological impact on the Knicks come the playoffs. What probability have they got of beating the Cavs or Celtics 4 occasions in a playoff collection if they can’t do it even as soon as within the common season?
The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum, shall be eager to exert their dominance too. It may very well be a tough evening for the Knicks – who ought to be determined to show their doubters improper.
