<h2>Boston Celtics Collapse Under Pressure as Knicks Take Commanding 2-0 Lead</h2><strong>Shooting Woes Plague Celtics’ Game Plan</strong>
The Boston Celtics find themselves in deep trouble as their title defense begins to unravel. In both games against the New York Knicks, the Celtics built 20-point leads—only to squander them. Despite getting open looks, Boston’s strategy of high-volume three-point shooting has backfired. Over two games, they launched 100 attempts from beyond the arc, making just 25% of them. The team’s stars, especially Jayson Tatum, are facing scrutiny, but confusion remains inside the locker room.
<strong>Confusing Decisions and Missed Opportunities</strong>
According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, even the players seem puzzled. They believe they’re running effective offense and getting the right looks. Yet, execution has fallen flat. One sequence stood out in Game 2: Tatum had a mismatch with Jalen Brunson but quickly passed instead of attacking, leaving many baffled.
<strong>Celtics Deny Tactics Are the Issue</strong>
Despite the poor shooting, Boston’s players don’t blame their system. Their roster is built for spacing and perimeter shooting, and they’re generating open shots—96% of their three-point attempts have been uncontested. Even fatigue isn’t an excuse, as they had ample rest after eliminating the Magic in five games. Still, the shots aren’t falling, and the players don’t understand why.
<strong>Stubborn Strategy Could Prove Costly</strong>
Windhorst explained that the Celtics’ biggest dilemma isn’t effort or preparation—it’s an unwillingness to adjust. They believe in their system so much that they’ve stuck with it even when it has clearly faltered in clutch moments. That stubbornness has cost them two crucial home games.
<strong>The Numbers Tell the Story</strong>
In Game 2, Boston started strong, mixing up their offense and building a solid lead. But the fourth quarter told a different story—they took 11 three-point shots and made just two, while being outscored 30-17. In Game 1, they were 2-15 from deep in the final period. When the game is on the line, the Celtics have leaned too heavily on the three and paid the price.
<strong>Tatum and Brown Must Lead the Charge</strong>
The Celtics need a shift in mentality. While Tatum and Jaylen Brown are catching criticism, this is a team-wide issue. Relying solely on three-pointers, especially in critical stretches, has left them vulnerable. To survive the next two games in a hostile Madison Square Garden, the Celtics must diversify their offense and adapt on the fly.
<strong>A Turning Point in the Series?</strong>
With the series now shifting to New York and the Celtics trailing 0-2, the pressure has never been greater. If they want to stay in the playoff hunt, they’ll have to abandon blind faith in the three-ball and make smarter, more balanced decisions in the clutch.