Looking like a team fully capable of making a deep run in the 2013 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks blitzed out to a 3-0 series lead against the Boston Celtics.
Following a tough overtime loss in Game 4 however, the Knicks will surely look to rebound as they hope to close the series out at home during Game 5.
Aiming for their first postseason series win since 2000, the Knicks will host the Celtics at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night. Tip time is set for 7:00pm, EDT with coverage available on TNT television. Local networks MSG in the New York area and CSN-NE across the Boston area will anchor coverage as well.
Shooting a dismal 29% from the floor during the first half of Game 4, the Knicks quickly found themselves in a 19-point hole heading into the halftime locker room. Without second-leading scorer J.R. Smith due to his suspension for throwing an elbow at Celtics guard Jason Terry in Game 3, the Knicks struggled to find rhythm on offense.
New York was able to come back from the major deficit and take the game to overtime where they'd eventually fall 97-90, giving Boston some life in a series the Celtics have struggled with since Game 1.
Heading back to NYC for Game 5, the Knicks know giving Boston anymore confidence could be very dangerous.
"We have to be confident going back home," Carmelo Anthony told reporters from ESPN following the Game 4 defeat.
Anthony shot 10-of-35 from the field in Game 4 as the offense struggled mightily for most of the contest. Raymond Felton was able to provide 27 points for New York - including 16 in the third quarter - but his effort was simply not enough to help the Knicks overcome the sluggish start.
Anthony padded his point total even with the poor shooting numbers totaling 36 points, including 16-of-20 from the free throw line.
Jeff Green and Paul Pierce combined for 55 of Boston's 97 in the win and Green knows it will take the same kind of effort the C's displayed in Game 4 to get the series back to Boston.
"We have to bring it," Green told NBA.com. "It's the only way we have a chance to win the game. We just have to play all out."
Playing all out worked in Game 4 as Boston was able to get key defensive stops and seemingly hit every clutch basket on their way to extending the first round match-up with New York.
Now home for what he hopes is the final game of the series, Knicks head coach Mike Woodson is expecting a total team effort Wednesday night.
"We all owe each other a good game," Woodson said to reporters. "It's not on just J.R.'s head. Everybody's got to play well to come out of here with a win."
If the Knicks get back to their sharp offensive ways and couple that with stingy defense, expect this series to close after 5 games.
Be sure to catch the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics tip-off from Madison Square Garden Wednesday night. Tip time is at 7:00pm, EDT with coverage available on TNT television and local networks.
Watch Highlights from Boston's 97-90 Overtime win over New York in Game 4:
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