At the behest of veteran Kenyon Martin, the Knicks dressed in all black for what was supposed to be the “Celtics funeral”. Instead the Knicks got buried and found themselves heading back to Boston for game six.
The Knicks started out hot with an 11-0 run in the first four minutes but then things quickly shifted. The Celtics found their offensive rhythm and the Knicks offense disappeared. “I thought we came out ready to play,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. “They got their trust they needed and I don’t think we responded very well.” Indeed they didn’t as the Knicks offensive struggles mounted with J.R. Smith unable to hit, going 3-14 from the field and Carmelo Anthony hitting 8-24 from the field. Despite the Celtics numerous turnovers (15), the Knicks simply could not capitalize. Kevin Garnett had one of his best games dropping 16 points and 18 rebounds while Jason Terry chipped in with 17 points, hitting 5-9 from behind the arc.
The Knicks also had to deal with foul trouble with their big men Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin. Martin finished with five fouls, two points and two rebounds in 13 minutes. “It affected the way I played. I cannot speak on the unit. It is playoff basketball. I have to adjust”, Martin said. “They were calling it close. I don’t know what to tell Kenyon”, Woodson said in response to Martin’s foul trouble.
Celtics won the game 92-86; the Knicks lead the series 3-2 as it heads to game six in Boston. “We can’t be complacent. We have to be humble,” JR Smith, said in response to game six. Smith wasn’t so humble when he said he would be golfing right now had he not been suspended for game four. Between his comments and Kenyon pushing the team to wear all black for the “funeral”, the Knicks and their fans alike have all been humbled.
– Shaina Auxilly (@Shay_Marie)
