The Boston Celtics moved to within two wins of an unprecedented NBA playoff series victory by beating the New York Knicks 92-86 on Wednesday, slicing their deficit in the series to 3-2 and with the contest to now shift back to Boston.
Kevin Garnett had 16 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Celtics, who are bidding to become the first team to come from 3-0 down to win a series 4-3.
“We’re still down. Our mentality has to be all-out,” Garnett said. “It can’t be anything [else].”
Photo: AFP
In Wednesday’s other games, Indiana had a comfortable home win over Atlanta to go up 3-2, while Houston won at Oklahoma City to also close their deficit to 3-2.
Houston played without starting point guard Jeremy Lin for the second straight game because of a bruised chest muscle.
Boston’s Brandon Bass added 17 points, steadying Boston as they shook off an 11-0 deficit and pulled away in the second half to again stop the Knicks sealing their first playoff series victory since 2000.
Photo: AFP
“We didn’t panic and that’s something we’ve done, but we didn’t,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “Once the game got back to that five, six area, our guys were good again.”
Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points, but was just eight of 24 in another dismal shooting night for the Knicks, who blew a big lead in this game and now the series. They face an unwanted trip back to Boston instead of the rest their aging roster needs before the second round.
“We’re fine,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. “Sure we would’ve loved to close it out and move on, but nobody said it would be easy.”
If Boston manage to square the series 3-3, the Knicks would host Game 7 on Sunday.
“I told you from Game 1 that this wasn’t going to be a breeze, it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park, them guys were going to fight and they’re showing some fight right now,” Anthony said. “They threw a couple punches at us now and it’s time for us to do the same.”
The Celtics were the first of the eight NBA teams that have come from 3-1 down, beating Philadelphia in 1968, and put themselves on the short list of teams that have erased a 2-0 deficit the next year in the NBA Finals.
So perhaps it would be fitting if they were the first to overcome 3-0.
“That would be wonderful, and someone’s going to do it and I want it to be us, since that’s the situation we’re in,” Rivers said before the game. “Someone will do it, and I really want to be a part of that.”
Indiana also hold a slim 3-2 advantage after a 106-83 home win over the Atlanta Hawks.
David West scored 24 points and Paul George had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who have won all three home games in the best-of-seven series and are 5-0 at home this season against the Hawks.
They’ll go to Atlanta today with a chance to clinch the best-of-seven series, but the Hawks have won 13 straight at home against the Pacers, including both games in this series.
Atlanta were led by Josh Smith and Al Horford, who each had 14 points, and it was every bit as ugly as the Hawks’ first two double-digit losses in Indy.
Indiana took the lead for good midway through the second quarter and opened the third period on a 12-3 run to make it 62-46. The Pacers put it away when the Hawks lost their composure.
Houston also avoided elimination by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 107-100, with James Harden scoring 31 points and sinking seven three-pointers while fighting through flu-like symptoms.
Harden made the first seven threes he tried and Houston led by as many as 16 before fending off a rally that Oklahoma City helped stymie with their own strategy.
The Thunder, apparently doubting they could overcome an eight-point lead on their home court without Russell Westbrook, resorted to intentionally fouling Omer Asik — a 54 percent career foul shooter — with 5:33 to play.
Asik went eight for 12 from the line, extending Houston’s lead to 101-92 with 3:53 remaining before Oklahoma City gave up the tactic.
Kevin Durant finished with 36 points for Oklahoma City.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely