New York State of Mind: 3 Celtics standouts in 3-point barrage vs Knicks

While the Boston Celtics find their way back to playing that stingy defensive basketball that carried them to the NBA Finals a year ago, they will lean on their offense.

So far this season, their offense has been their best defense, especially when the three-point shot is falling which was showcased in the team’s 133-118 runaway victory over the New York Knicks.

Live by the 3, die by the 3 and Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, the Celtics showed just how unstoppable they are when they are knocking down shots beyond the stripe with consistency.

Boston Celtics were on fire from beyond the arc

Led by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum who knocked down six 3’s a piece, the Celtics set a franchise record with 27 made 3’s and every single player who played made a 3, including Blake Griffin and Noah Vonleh.

Most impressively, the team combined for 27-for-51 from beyond the arc.  Yes, that is 52.9 percent shooting.  With that type of shooting any team would be hard to beat.  While the Knicks had their own shooting night, the Celtics outshined the home team led by their two studs who was having fun watching their teammates create space by knocking down shots.

"“Tonight, we had some open space, and we had fun out there playing ball,” Brown said following the game."

While the Celtics did eventually pull away from the Knicks, it was one of those games they could’ve lost despite the franchise record-setting night.  Julius Randle led the Knicks with 29 points while Jalen Brunson contributed with 22 points and 10 assists.  Despite those efforts, the Celtics were able to seal the game with a 11-2 run with under four minutes left in the game to advance their season record to 6-3.

Overall, this was a fun game to watch because it was a game where everyone who played had a valuable contribution.  Let’s take a look at the 3 Celtics standouts in this 3-point barrage vs the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

 Celtics sharpshooter Sam Hauser has a career night

Danilo Gallinari who?

If Sam Hauser continues to come off the bench and knock down 3’s like he did Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, the Boston Celtics won’t miss what they thought they had in Gallinari.

In the 133-118 victory over the Knicks, the second-year sharpshooter continued to carve his niche on this team with a career high 17-point effort that featured a string of 3 points knockdowns.  This guy is a pure shooting, and it just shows with his release.  It is shocking when his shot doesn’t go down.

https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1589051924338249728

In all Hauser contributed to the historic effort with 5 3-pointers himself, which led to some praise from Marcus Smart who is enjoying the player Hauser is morphing into on both ends of the court.

"“Got a knockdown shooter over there,” Smart said, via NBC Sports Boston.  “It’s tough for you to help off of somebody like him.  And then try to help Jayson (Tatum), and try to help on Jaylen (Brown) and those guys and Malcolm (Brogdon)….It just makes it that much easier for us.  And then, if they do stop us, you know you got a guy that you know is gonna knock it down and it really keeps the defense honest.  We’re proud of Sam and not just for his offense but the way he holds himself on the defensive end.”"

Speaking of Tatum, the Boston Celtics superstar also praised Hauser after Friday night’s effort against the Chicago Bulls.  Not only is Hauser knocking down shots off the bench, but as Smart said he is holding his own defensively and making plays on the court to help his team win.

In all, the confidence in Hauser seems to be getting stronger and stronger with each minute he plays.  Most importantly, his teammates are showing a lot of confidence in him.

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart did all the little things

With everyone hitting 3’s, you know Marcus Smart got in on the action.

In scoring 13 points on the night, the Boston Celtics guard was 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, but it was his 11 assists and defensive hustle that makes him one of the standouts of the night.

The reigning NBA defensive player of the year is asked to do a lot on this Celtics team, like guard players like Julius Randle.  With his defensive intensity, he holds his own against bigger players which helps the team play small.  He also showcases his playmaking ability on a nightly basis.

Want your voice heard? Join the Chowder And Champions team!

Write for us!

In dishing out 11 assists, Smart benefitted from his team knocking down shots.  From Jayson Tatum to Jaylen Brown to Sam Hauser, the Celtics vocal leader called the team’s 3-point onslaught a thing of beauty.

"“It felt amazing,” Smart said following the game, via ESPN.  “(Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla) was just preaching to us,” Don’t get tired, we’re playing the right way.’  I think every coach preaches that, but to see it actually happen in action is a thing of beauty.”"

Smart went on to say that it was good for the team to be making shots.  It was also good for the team that Smart had his shot selection under control as he tends to turn into Steph Curry with 3-point attempts when he knocks down a couple.   Stick to defense and dishing out dimes and Smart helps this team win more than he hurts them when he takes too many shots.

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown had a nice bounce back game

It was hard to decide between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown here, but we’re going with JB since he was able to bounce back from a low scoring night against the Chicago Bulls to put up 30 against the Knicks on Saturday night.

As the duo once again showed why they are tough to beat when they are both on their game, Brown continued to show his versatility by catching fire from three just like the rest of his team.

In tying Tatum with a game-high 6 3-pointers, Brown also pulled down 5 rebounds to go along with 3 assists.  With his 30-point performance he once again showed just how much he enjoys playing at Madison Square Garden. He also loves when his team is knocking down shots.

"“We got a really good team who can really shoot the ball,” Brown said following the game.  “When we give each other the correct spacing and we get going like we did tonight, a lot of shots can fall.”"

They certainly did fall and it was because of the spacing like Brown referred to.  Along with his partner in crime Jayson Tatum creating and making shots from beyond the arc, a sharpshooter like Sam Hauser off the bench also helps.  The most impressive part of the night and the historic performance is they were without a stretch big like Al Horford who can also knock it down.

In all, it was good to see Jaylen Brown get back on tract with his shooting as he lead the way in the Boston Celtics moving their record to 6-3.