The Boston Celtics visit the New York Knicks for Game 3 of their second round NBA playoff series Saturday afternoon, with the Celtics desperate to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole.
Boston enters as 6-point favorites despite trailing 0-2 in the series.
The Knicks have shocked the basketball world by storming back from 20-point deficits in back-to-back games to take command of the series against the defending champions.
How To Watch Celtics vs. Knicks Game 3
You can catch all the action live from Madison Square Garden starting at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Want to stream the game? Check out Jazz Sports for a free live stream option.
The oddsmakers still believe in Boston, listing them as 6-point road favorites despite their struggles so far.
Injury Updates
The Celtics might be without Sam Hauser, who’s listed as doubtful with an ankle injury.
The Knicks, meanwhile, enter Game 3 with a clean bill of health.
Series So Far
New York has pulled off something remarkable. They’ve erased massive 20-point deficits in consecutive games to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
But Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau isn’t letting his team get comfortable.
“It’s really irrelevant,” Thibodeau told his players Friday. “The big thing is to understand what it’s going to take to win Game 3, to not get lost in if you’re up [in the series]. That doesn’t guarantee anything.”
Jalen Brunson has led the Knicks’ attack, averaging 23 points per game in the series.
Josh Hart has been a surprise contributor with 18.5 points per game, while Karl-Anthony Towns is dominating the glass with 17.5 points and a massive 15 rebounds per contest against Boston.
Celtics Looking for Answers
The defending champs are in trouble after dropping Game 1 in overtime (108-105) and suffering a heartbreaking 91-90 loss in Game 2.
“You’re down 2-0 heading on the road,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged. “You have an understanding of your environment and what you’re up against.”
The biggest issue? Superstar Jayson Tatum has been ice cold.
Tatum is averaging just 18 points in the first two games – well below his regular season numbers – and shooting a dismal 28.6% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc.
If Boston wants to climb back into this series, they’ll need their best player to start playing like it.
Despite the 0-2 hole, history provides some hope for the Celtics. They’re 5-1 in their last six road games at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks, oddly enough, have struggled at home lately, going just 1-4 in their past five games at the Garden.
ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Knicks a slight edge with a 51.4% chance of winning Game 3.
Can the Celtics finally solve New York’s comeback magic, or will the Knicks push the defending champs to the brink of elimination? Saturday’s showdown should provide plenty of answers.
