#1 – As soon as once more, lack of rebounding
The Knicks grabbed 39.6% of their misses, as soon as once more. The Celtics knew it was coming. It was written that after a troublesome Recreation 5, the Knicks would come as aggressive as ever on the offensive glass, and but, the Celtics didn’t do something about it.
The hustle and the vitality have been on the Knicks’ aspect, and the Celtics didn’t battle for his or her lives to guard the ball and seize these rebounds.
As a result of sure, a very good protection means nothing and not using a rebound to shut the possession. It’s nice to contest pictures, however none of it issues when you quit a second one proper after.
#2 – The chessboard shifts
Tom Thibodeau made one delicate adjustment: he hunted Luke Kornet on the court docket.
Within the second half of Recreation 5, the Celtics have been capable of cease the Knicks’ offense whereas utilizing Luke Kornet as a security within the paint. The Knicks knew they needed to discover a strategy to drive him away from the paint, in order that they ran performs the place the Celtics have been compelled to surrender that safety.
The Knicks got here ready after the loss. They weren’t going to present the Celtics one other probability on the TD Backyard.
#3 – Damaged protection
New York took 36% of their pictures on the rim, 18% within the nook. An analytical method in opposition to a damaged protection that was recognized to be the most effective at taking away these pictures. To have the ability to carry out this elite protection, you want elite gamers and elite execution.
With the shortage of vitality, Jayson Tatum lacking, and Kristaps Porziņģis’ lack of juice, this couldn’t be carried out.
#4 – Jaylen, between creation and chaos
Jaylen Brown was the first engine on offense, and at occasions, the one one creating stress. He completed with 20 factors and 6 assists, but additionally fouled out and turned the ball over seven occasions.
The utilization was excessive, the accountability was actual, however the decision-making crumbled. It was a tricky spot — and perhaps an excessive amount of to ask — after every part he had already given on this sequence, on this season.
#5 – Jrue ran out of fuel
Brown wanted a Robin, and Jrue Vacation couldn’t be one this time. After an impressively impactful Recreation 5, he turned problematic in Recreation 6.
He shot one for eight from the sector, appeared gradual to drag the set off, and appeared bodily drained. The passing, the dribbling, and the capturing all appeared off — as if, like a lot of the Celtics, he had given every part he had in Recreation 5.
#6 – Even Derrick White couldn’t ship
When the Celtics are down dangerous, there’s all the time Derrick White to raise them up and discover a resolution… however not final evening. His shot choice was questionable, to say the least.
And the vitality, like the remainder of the fellows, simply wasn’t there.
#7 – A monitor meet they couldn’t run
If I speak quite a bit about vitality, it’s due to one quantity: on each defensive rebound following a shot try, the Knicks scored 1.60 factors per possession.
The Knicks outran Boston, and the champ couldn’t set their protection, couldn’t cease the ball, and couldn’t talk in time. A few of it’s effort. A few of it’s fatigue. All of it’s unacceptable at this stage of the Playoffs, in a must-win recreation.
#8 – Perhaps this was the final experience
Jaylen Brown, Jrue Vacation, and Kristaps Porziņģis are beneath long-term contracts, however on this new cap actuality, no one is untouchable — particularly earlier than a season with Jayson Tatum sidelined for a 12 months.
Luke Kornet is a free agent. And whereas it’s too quickly to invest, it’s not too quickly to really feel it: this is likely to be the final time we noticed this precise group collectively. Final evening’s press convention felt like a goodbye.
#9 – The tip comes quick
You don’t see it coming. One second you’re breaking down a ghost display in Recreation 5, the following it’s silence. A 38-point loss doesn’t offer you time to course of — it simply shuts the door.
And while you zoom out, it hits even more durable. Jayson Tatum, injured. The CBA, looming. The locker room, perhaps altering. Just some days in the past, we have been wanting on the Finals matchups. Now we’re taking a look at exit interviews, free brokers, and tickets again to France with none assure of being again.
I assume that’s the purpose of all of it: it ends earlier than you’re prepared. And irrespective of what number of video games you cowl, it all the time looks like a shock.
#10 – Thanks
In the event you’re studying this, thanks. This was my one hundred and fifth article this season. General, there have been 750 takeaways. And never as soon as did I really feel like I used to be writing into the void. You made that potential.
Protecting this workforce from throughout the ocean — from my French Alps to the TD Backyard press convention — was surreal. I attempted to seize the angles, the numbers, the emotion. And also you learn it. Merci.
