The NBA playoff series between the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks has taken an unexpected turn, with the Knicks leading 2-0 despite losing all four regular-season games to the Celtics by an average of 16.3 points. The Knicks’ stunning performances included coming back from 20-point deficits in both games. Analysts Andrew Greif and Rohan Nadkarni attribute this shift to a mix of both teams’ performances. The Celtics’ inefficient shooting from beyond the arc—making only 25 out of 100 attempts—has significantly contributed to their losses, with stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown especially struggling. Tatum’s fourth-quarter shooting is notably poor at 1-for-12.
On the other hand, while the Knicks have demonstrated resilience and made crucial comebacks, their offensive performance has been inconsistent, registering their worst points-per-possession metrics in Game 2. Despite having a storied postseason, New York’s typical offensive struggles suggest their early success might not be sustainable, as they ranked just league-average in clutch situations during the regular season.
For the Celtics to rebound, a “regression to the mean” in their three-point shooting is essential. Historically strong at home, the Celtics will look to leverage their offensive talent and strong defense to reverse their fortunes. The frontcourt matchup is another key factor; Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has excelled while Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is hampered by illness, impacting Boston’s performance.
Ultimately, both teams exhibit strengths and weaknesses, and Boston still has a viable path to win the series, needing only a few adjustments for a potential comeback. Historically, however, teams trailing 0-2 have a markedly low success rate in reversing the series.
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