Boston Celtics: What went wrong in overtime loss vs Knicks

The Boston Celtics lost their third straight game in a row when they played the New York Knicks on Thursday Night in Overtime, 120-117.

The Celtics had returned to TD Garden after three games on the road against the Raptors, Magic and Heat.

Most of the Celtics key players returned to play after missing the last one or two games. Malcolm Brogdon is back after missing two games due to personal reasons. Jaylen Brown and Al Horford are both back after missing the loss against the Heat on Tuesday Night. The only key player for the Celtics that was on the injury report is Marcus Smart who’s missing his third straight game with an ankle injury.

Jayson Tatum lead the Celtics with 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jaylen Brown scored 22 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Derrick White was impressive for the C’s scoring 15 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Brogdon scored 10 points off the bench with 6 assists and 6 rebounds. Robert Williams III helped out with the rebounding with 12 while also scoring 8 points.

The Knicks however were able to keep up with the pace with the Celtics this time and then eventually win the game in overtime. Because, in the first matchup between the Knicks and the C’s on November 5th, the Celtics hit a franchise record 27 three-pointers and they won 133-118.

Here’s how the Celtics lost to the New York Knicks in overtime.

Boston Celtics had Bad misses and miscues in the final minute of overtime

With eight minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Celtics were down by 13 points to the Knicks after Knicks point guard Miles McBride made both of his free throws after a Grant Williams shooting foul.

Then, fast forward to 5:26 when Knicks center Isiah Hartenstein made a tip shot off a miss from point guard Jalen Brunson and the score was 106-94. The Celtics would finish the 4th quarter on a 16-4 run which was capped off with a Jayson Tatum layup with 48 seconds left.

The Boston Celtics had a chance to win the game when Jayson Tatum missed a fadeaway jumper and then Robert Williams was blocked by Knicks center Jericho Sims at the buzzer and into overtime.

With 30 seconds left in Overtime, R.J. Barrett made a go-ahead three-pointer, Jaylen Brown answered with a layup of his own. Robert Williams did a foul on Julius Randle, who made both of his free throws for the lead. Brunson does a shooting foul on Brown and sent him to the free throw line, only to then miss both free throws.

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After Brunson made two free throws for the Knicks, the Boston Celtics had to tie it to go into Double Overtime. Tatum missed a three-pointer but an offensive rebound by Horford gave them a second chance. Brogdon’s three-pointer was blocked by Brunson in the final seconds which sealed the win for the Knicks.

Julius Randle went off

Knicks Power forward Julius Randle lead the game with 37 points on the night with 9 rebounds and 2 assists.

Randle hit 52 percent of his field goals, went 5-13 on three-pointers and 6/7 on free throws in the impressive performance. Randle said after the game:

"“We can beat anybody. We can lose to anybody. That’s the league, It’s super talented. Very balanced league. So, we can see how special we can be on a night-to-night basis if we come in with the right focus.”"

Randle also scored 36 points in the last game which was a win against the Cavaliers on Tuesday Night and has been playing his best basketball for the Knicks.

What the Celtics could’ve done is had more focus defensively on Randle and also should’ve had Robert Williams, who could match Randle’s physicality instead of Horford or Brown guarding him all night, then the Celtics would’ve done better defending Randle and Celtics could’ve won the game.

The Boston Celtics will be facing their biggest rival the Los Angeles Lakers to cap off Rivalry Week on Saturday at 8:30 pm on ABC.