Crucial Game 4

by Zak Drapeau 5/8/2025 FansOnlySportz

Series Summary

The Celtics came back with authority and steamrolled the Knicks for a Game 3 win. Still down 1-2 in the series, another matchup at the Garden will set the stage for another dramatic Game 4. With Road Teams being undefeated thus far, the Celtics are looking good.

C/O to sportskeeda.com

The Celtics are beating the Knicks in every major statistic in this series besides steals thanks to their blowout in Game 3. Even after being down 0-2, the Celtics were still visibly the better team even after blowing back-to-back 20-point leads.

Not to be overshadowed, the Knicks have been superb in the series especially in the 4th Quarter. Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns are together averaging a combined 43 points, 18.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists and have been balling out for New York. Karl Anthony-Towns in particular has been taking advantage of the shorter lineup of the Celtics and is averaging almost 5 offensive rebounds per game.

After 2 games of coming down to the wire with the Knicks storming back to win at the very end, the Celtics gave them no hope and went coast to coast in Game 3. Can the Celtics repeat their dominant win in New York or will the Knicks' never-say-die attitude give them a 3-1 lead heading back to Boston.

3-Point Shooting

3-point shooting has been the name of the game in this series with the team that shoots better from the arc winning each time. After back-to-back 25% 3P-shooting at home, the Celtics bounced back by knocking down 20/40 in Game 3.

Even though they gave up the win in Game 2, the Celtics have now held the Knicks to under 30% 3P-shooting in consecutive games, one of the best parts of their game in the regular season. Leading the league by a wide margin, the Celtics opponents would only make 9-3P's per game at a rate of 28.9%, both best marks in the league for the Celtics' D.

Jayson Tatum

The Captain of the C's and arguable best player in the world, Tatum has yet to really make his mark in any game this series. Leading his team in rebounds and Free Throw%, Tatum has really struggled shooting the ball with only 19.3 PPG at a rate of 32.2%.

Just behind Jaylen Brown, (20.7) and ahead of Derrick White, (18.7) in Points per Game, Tatum's season mark of 26.8 is a far cry from his performances this series. A full team effort was too much for the Knicks to handle in Game 3 but a great offensive game from Tatum will likely do the trick as well if the star can get back into the series.

Predictions

The C's are winning Game 4 but not without a fight. The Knicks will be back with a vengeance after being embarrassed at home and should make this game exciting from beginning to end. Look for another defensive battle with both team perimeter defense being amongst the very best in the league so far. If the Celtics can shoot with ANY consistency from beyond the arc, they should be able to even up the series for Game 5 back in Boston on Wednesday.

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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the Celtics and 2025 NBA Playoffs.

-Z.D.