Boston Gardens is performing a time-travel drama, the Celtics turn back time to 2023

What frustrated Celtic fans the most was perhaps not only that the team lost two home games in the Knicks series, but also that they seemed to be returning to the nightmare of 2023 - when the game entered a moment of life and death, this team, which was once bullied by a more fierce opponent, showed cowardice again, trembling like the fate of foreseeing shameless defeat.

In the G2's tragic defeat, the Celtics squandered 20 points in the second consecutive game, completely shattering the fantasy of "Boston's strength crushing". Although they can dominate the first three quarters, when the championship background and iron-blooded will face the ultimate test, the team is in a hurry in front of the deadly trap woven by Jaylen Brunson.

still had a 16-point advantage in the first 8 minutes and 40 seconds of the final game. Derek White made both free throws and maintained a 9-point lead. Then the Celtics played the ugliest offensive performance since Miami Nightmare two years ago: they lost all 7 shots, including 3 three-pointers, and there was nothing on the tactical board. Joe Mazula witnessed the collapse while standing, and used the ridiculous "Robinson tactics" to reap the most cunning foul master in the league. And the Knicks' winning score? As you expected: Brunson scored two free throws, won the team's last 6 points, and shone brightly at the superstar moment.

Mazura excused the tactics of Robinson +21, but this was nothing more than a desperate bet. If the defending champions need to be afraid of this blue-collar center who has only played 17 games this season, they are not worthy of continuing the dynasty. This is as absurd as paying tribute to Chamberlain in 1966.

"When he is on the court, we must hit the basket more firmly," Mazula talked about his strategy to deal with Robinson, "his threat on offensive rebounds needs to be resolved. "However, Tatum continued the nightmare of G1's 0-for-7 shot in the final quarter, and missed an open three-pointer that locked in the 9-point advantage. His performance of 13 points and 5 of 19 shots in the game was overshadowed by Brunson's decisive victory.

The Knicks once again staged a good show of reversal and now they have completely controlled the rhythm of the series. Tom Thibodeau beat Mazula on the spot. The old coach firmly trusted the core lineup, but the Celtics were timid in life and death - only won five free throws in the second half, and there was no clear tactical guidance on the bench. Mazura tried to calm down after the game and tried to find an explanation for the collapse, but the balance of the series was already tilted.

"The opponent completed all the key rounds," Mazula admitted, "We took the initiative but failed to end the game. " When asked how to deal with the doubts of the outside world's "pseudo-champion", he said: "We need to examine the shortcomings and play the complete game for 48 minutes. This should be a difficult journey. "

This calm statement cannot be concealed. It was supposed to be a night of fighting against the enemy, but the Celtics only lasted for 40 minutes. After Payton Pritchard scored 84-68 with a three-pointer, the Celtics missed 13 consecutive shots (including 7 three-pointers), and it was not until Tatum's dunk 18.5 seconds before the end of the game that he broke the scoring drought. The cold data of 25 of 100 three-pointers in the series is just like the inner demons who resurrected the corpse in 2023, exposing the team's will flaws.

"We just missed the key round," Jaylen Brown concluded, "We must be prepared for G3. I believe the shooting will come back, but the way to end the game must change. " However, the core question lingers: Why did the defending champion's champion gene suddenly fail at this moment? Saturday's Madison Garden will test whether this is a temporary pain or a serious illness.

(text/mango)