Monday, May 12 sets the stage for an electrifying chapter in the Eastern Conference Semifinals as the Boston Celtics (61-21) square off against the New York Knicks (51-31) at Madison Square Garden.
After dominating Game 3 with a 115-93 victory, the Celtics enter Game 4 with momentum on their side, led by a blazing start that saw them jump to a 36-20 lead in the first quarter and maintain control throughout. The key to Boston's triumph was a stellar 50% night from behind the arc, with Payton Pritchard spearheading the offensive onslaught, contributing 23 points.
The Knicks, on the other hand, found their groove in spurts. Jalen Brunson's 27 points and Karl-Anthony Towns' 21 stood out in a lackluster team performance that struggled with shooting, particularly from deep, hitting just 20% of its attempts.
With a road record of 33-8 and a point differential of 9, the Celtics have shown they can perform under pressure away from home. The Knicks, resilient in their own right, boast a 6-4 record in their recent home games, making this contest a pivotal one in shaping the series dynamics.
Tonight's encounter isn't just about scoring - it's about seizing psychological advantages, shifting momentum, and harnessing the unwavering support of fans in one of basketball's iconic venues. All eyes will be on Mikal Bridges, who has steadily found his offensive rhythm throughout the series and is anticipated to push past his 13.5 points prop.
As fans and analysts eagerly dissect every stat, trend, and prediction leading up to tipoff, the anticipation for Game 4 is palpable. With both franchises vying for critical playoff positioning, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Stay tuned for updates and insights as this thrilling playoff saga continues.
