The New York Knicks entered Game 5 of their second-round series against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night looking to clinch the series with a victory.
Of course, the Knicks were able to jump out to a 3-1 lead in the series after their victory at home in Game 4 and with the Celtics now without their star forward Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles injury, New York looked to steal another game on the road.
Instead, the Celtics were able to keep their season alive in dominant fashion as they defeated the Knicks 127-102 behind great performances from Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Luke Kornet.With the loss, the Knicks now head back to Madison Square Garden on Friday for Game 6 with a chance to clinch the series at home and advance to face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
While New York can clinch the series with a victory on Friday, ESPN analyst and Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith believes they have to win Game 6 as he sent the franchise a clear five-word message.
“You can’t lose Game 6,” Smith said about the Knicks.This was a clear message sent by Smith and one that makes complete sense.
Of course, if the Knicks were to lose Game 6, they would then have to travel to Boston for Game 7, which could be an issue despite them already winning two of the three games at TD Garden thus far in the series.
While New York has had the edge on the road in the series thus far, the Celtics have been a dangerous team at home this season and after their performance without Tatum in Game 5, they may be able to complete the comeback.
Despite this, the Knicks should be motivated to clinch the series at home on Friday night as they try to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.
