BOSTON, Massachusetts — Tonight, the highly anticipated Eastern Conference semifinals began as the Boston Celtics faced off against the New York Knicks at 7 p.m. ET at TD Garden. This matchup is especially exciting as it’s the first meeting between both teams in the playoffs since 2013.
The Celtics dominate the 2024-25 regular season series against the Knicks, sweeping them 4-0, fueled by a clean injury report. Jaylen Brown, who missed the last three games of the first round, is healthy and ready to contribute alongside key players like Jayson Tatum and Al Horford.
“We need to play better than what we did in the regular season,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “We know it’s a game of runs, and they can strike when you least expect it.” The stakes are high: if the Celtics advance, it will be their fourth consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference finals, while the Knicks aim for their first appearance since 2000.
Boston comes into the series boasting an impressive roster and momentum from dispatching the Orlando Magic in five games. The Celtics’ offense is potent—they averaged 125 points per game against the Knicks this season, showcasing their 3-point shooting prowess with 21 average makes per game.
Live updates from the game reveal that the Celtics implemented a defensive strategy targeting Knicks’ center Mitchell Robinson, who has struggled at the free-throw line historically, converting just 52.2% over his career. As of late in the first half, the Celtics led 50-42.
“We’re going to try to exploit every mismatch we can find,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla stated. Mazzulla, known for his evolving coaching style, plans to maintain the pressure on the Knicks’ weaknesses. As the Celtics pulled ahead in the first quarter, Tatum has taken charge as the top scorer, demonstrating strength around the basket.
The game intensity increased as tensions flared; players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were seen expressing frustration towards timely officiating decisions. The Knicks’ shooting struggles became evident, trailing significantly with less than half of their free throws converted.
Notably, Tatum’s high-scoring game continues to excite the Boston crowd, who greeted fans with T-shirts stating “Stay in the fight” as they entered the arena. It’s evident that playoff fever has gripped Boston, electrifying fans eager for their team’s success.
The playoff journey has been remarkable for both teams—while the Celtics have consistently excelled, the Knicks have enjoyed a revitalizing season with Brunson leading the charge. As they step onto the court tonight, both teams have one goal: secure victory in this pivotal Game 1.
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals utilizes TNT for national broadcast while local fans eagerly follow along with live updates. The complete schedule for this series promises dramatic moments and unforgettable matchups to come.
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