How many of you had the Celtics building up late 3rd quarter 20-point leads to the Knicks at home and then losing both games? OK, no-one right? How do we explain this? Game 1, sure, attempting 60 3-pointers is crazy and once you start missing as a team, it’s contagious. So, for Game 2, you make the adjustment and drive the ball more which they did in the first half. The Knicks were nowhere last night. Then, in the 4th quarter, Bridges goes off and Boston gets tight. What is going on? SU has a view here:

1. The Celtics lack a classic point guard to run the show. This becomes an issue late in close games apparently. Bad decisions, broken plays.
2. Porzingis has some type of illness which is sapping his energy. He literally can only play a few minutes at a time. They are much better when he is on the court.
3. The Knicks are a resilient and battle tested team. They basically play 5 guys with a few minutes for Robinson, Payne and Deuce. Now, SU believes this is also a huge problem. Any foul trouble or an injury would be a killer for them. Thibodeau should use the bench a little more but he is stubborn.
4. Robinson has a very positive +/- points advantage going when he is on the court. You have to play him early in the quarter as they are fouling him and no one wants to watch him at the foul line. But he has been a difference maker on both ends – especially with KAT on the court.
5. Boston may just lack a player with that killer instinct. It’s hard to believe as they have manhandled the Knicks all year and Tatum especially is usually uncoverable. But he has come up small in these first two games.
6. The Knicks have gotten lucky as well. They are not playing lights out by any measure and have been sloppy at times. Hart was huge last night even though he is reluctant to ever shoot. He is such a great finisher at the rim.

By no means is this series over. The Knicks are 5-0 on the road in the playoffs and seem to play freer away from the Garden. The Celtics have dominated most of the first two games, and while their confidence in the 4th quarter is clearly shaken now, it’s not like they are losing by 10 points. The Knicks will have to bring their best effort on Saturday. SU says please pass the ball and move. The Brunson clear outs are great at times but not every time.

Buckle up!