Boston one of, if the not the Championship favourite again coming into the season, acquiring Porzingis and Holiday. Mazzulla opting to go with perimeter defense instead of interior in the starting lineup. Tatum and the Celtics rolling early, Porzingis with back to back 3's, one of them a lucky bank. Boston with a 12-point quarter-time lead. Porzingis with back to back blocks and Tatum consecutively successful getting to the rim, but the Knicks are still able to cut the deficit to 5 by the half. Tatum starts the 3rd with a nice and1 and follows with a step-back. Porzingis gets back in transition and blocks Barrett. New York goes on a run though. I like Doc's realistic comments, instead of listening to superficial Breen all the time. Horford with back to back 3's to kick the lead back out, Boston up 9 going into the last. The Knicks don't go away though and actually hit the lead. A flopping call on Porzingis... okay, didn't see it called on Chris Paul yesterday. Quickley never turns down a shot, giving the Knicks consistent scoring off the bench. Brown has consecutive blunders and New York pulls away. The Celtics bring it back pretty quickly though and get over the line, by 4 points. Boston shot much better from the field, New York much better from 3, the Celtics more efficient at the line. The Knicks took better care of the ball and were +1 on the boards. Tatum with an efficient 34 points, 11 boards and 2 steals. Porzingis an efficient 30 points, 8 boards and 4 blocks. For the Knicks, Quickley an efficient 24 points and 6 boards, off the bench. New York's key players Randle and Brunson combined 11 of 43 from the field.
3. (Bos) J. Tatum, 2. (Bos) K. Porzingis, 1. (Nyk) I. Quickley.
3. (Bos) J. Tatum, 2. (Bos) K. Porzingis, 1. (Nyk) I. Quickley.