The New York Knicks, after beating the Detroit Pistons in six games, will advance to take on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Boston won every game this season against the Knicks, although after winning three games in Detroit in the first round, the Knicks are likely full of confidence. Before the series tips off, head coach Tom Thibodeau explained one key to victory that New York needs to follow.
Feb 23, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) controls the ball while Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) defends during the first half at TD Garden.
© Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
The Pistons, despite their talent, are a young and inexperienced team and didn't necessarily have the "killer" chops to keep the Knicks from coming back late in games.
As reigning champions, the Celtics have proven that they are the opposite and will take advantage of any sign of weakness the Knicks offer them.
"We need everyone to play well, we've got to be at our best," said Thibodeau to the media. "I think balance is what's going to win. You can't have any mental breakdowns where you have a bad two or three-minute stretch because of their ability to go on runs, you have to minimize that."
In the very first game of the season, the Celtics blew out the Knicks 132-109 and tied an NBA record with 29 3-pointers. The Knicks have been licking their wounds all season, and know very well that Boston is capable of getting hot, and once they do, there isn't a whole lot that can be done about it.
Game 1 will tip off in Boston at 7:00 PM on Monday.
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