The Knicks shake master Boston in the NBA playoffs, meanwhile OKC dismantles the Denver Nuggets.
Defending champion Boston Celtics is increasingly under pressure in the NBA playoff quarter-finals. The record champion also lost the second home game after another 20-point lead against the New York Knicks, this time with 90:91, and is 0: 2 in the best-of-Seven series.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum gave his team in the lead in the narrow final phase 18.5 seconds before the end with a dark with 90:89, but on the other hand, Jalen Brunson remained freezing cold during two free throws. Boston then remained twelve seconds, but this time Tatum (13 points, 14 rebounds) was blocked.
Bad signs for the Celtics
“When we drive home, we realize what chance we have. We just have to stay tuned,” said Brunson, to which 17 points are. The Knicks are hosting the third game on Saturday. It is now also statistically difficult for the Celtics: only five teams have managed to win an NBA playoff series after they lost the first two home games.
The top scorer of the encounter was New York Josh Hart with 23 points, of which he achieved 14 in the final quarter. The German Rookie Ariel Hukporti was not used in the Knicks, who had turned off the Detroit Piston with Dennis Schröder in round one.
OKC dismantled the nuggets
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City Thunder answered the first defeat in the playoff quarter-final series like an upcoming master. Led by Shai-Gilgeous Alexander (34 points), the team of Isaiah Hartenstein dismantled the Denver Nuggets with 149: 106 and equalized to 1-1.
Hartenstein, which achieved 14 points and eight rebounds, as well as his colleagues, Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic had a good grip this time. The Serb booked average 17 points and eight rebounds for his standards, in the third quarter of the one-sided game he received his sixth foul and had to watch from then on-the game was already decided in view of a 41-point leadership of OKC (117: 76).
The series will continue in Denver from Saturday, the champions from 2023 have twice home right before at least a fifth game in Oklahoma City will occur.