New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics
PREVIEW: The Eastern Conference semifinals clash between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics reaches a pivotal moment in Game 6, with New York looking to close out the series at Madison Square Garden. Despite losing superstar Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles, the Celtics showed remarkable resilience in Game 5, delivering a dominant second-half performance that outscored the Knicks 68-43 after being tied at halftime. The Knicks bring formidable defensive credentials, ranking 2nd in defending shots attacking the rim and boasting a low turnover rate. Boston continues to rely on their three-point shooting strategy, having made 22 three-pointers in their Game 5 victory, with key players like Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, and Derrick White stepping up in Tatum's absence.
The Knicks are attempting to dethrone the defending NBA champions and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they would face the Indiana Pacers. Jalen Brunson, recently named the league's Clutch Player of the Year, is expected to play a pivotal role in potentially closing out the series. New York's offensive profile reveals interesting dynamics, with a high-frequency 3-point shooting approach (ranked 1st) balanced against a low rim attack frequency (ranked 29th). The Knicks have shown collective offensive firepower, with four of their five starters capable of scoring 21+ points, led by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby's 23-point performances.