BOSTON — The Knicks are still alive for No. 2.
Beating the NBA’s best was a breeze for the surging squad, which trampled the sleepwalking Celtics in Beantown, 118-109, behind 39 points from — who else? — Jalen Brunson.
The win, which included a 31-point lead in the third quarter, represented a third in a row for the Knicks (48-32) and fifth in six games.
They created cushion around the East’s third spot — the Knicks are now up a game on the Cavaliers while holding the tiebreaker — and are just one behind the Bucks for second with two to play.
Since the Bucks own the tiebreaker, the Knicks would have to win out (against the Nets and Bulls) and Milwaukee needs to drop its final two (at the Thunder and Magic).
Anything seems possible now with Brunson in Jordan mode and Giannis Antetokounmpo out for the remainder of the regular season with a calf strain.
Tom Thibodeau’s squad is peaking at the right time.
Still, Thursday’s blowout was a bit misleading.
The Celtics (62-18) were clearly playing at a reduced speed and intensity, having locked up home court through the playoffs.
The first quarter was competitive, but the Knicks took control in the second with a 19-0 run, building a 21-point lead at the break.
Game over.
The second half was a 24-minute coast and the icing on another Brunson masterpiece.
Playing just 30 minutes because of the blowout, the point guard fell one point short of joining Carmelo Anthony and Bernard King as the only Knicks to score 40 points or more in three consecutive games.
He shot 15-for-23 — including 6-for-11 from 3-point range — with four assists and two turnovers.
The Knicks outscored Boston by 28 points with Brunson on the court.
He beat the Celtics into submission.
Trailing by 29, Boston emptied its bench at the end of the third quarter — with Jayson Tatum (15 points), Jaylen Brown (15) and Kristaps Porzingis (14) all watching the remainder from cushioned seats.
Even Tom Thibodeau sat most of his starters in the fourth quarter, though he looked antsy as the Celtics made a very late push to cut the deficit to single-digits.
Josh Hart grabbed 16 rebounds with 16 points. Bojan Bogdanovic, finally finding a rhythm after a rough start to his Knicks tenure, added 12 points.
It was the first Knicks win over the Celtics in five tries this season, but Thursday was the first with OG Anunoby.
The defensive stalwart helped thwart Boston’s forwards while scoring 12 points in 26 minutes.
It was just the fourth time the Celtics lost at home this season.
News Summary:
- Knicks topple Celtics behind Jalen Brunson’s huge night
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