Celtics Beat New York Knicks In Overtime

The Boston Celtics were victorious during overtime on Tuesday, April 8, defeating the New York Knicks 119-117 at Madison Square Garden. The high-stakes matchup between the two Eastern Conference teams was much anticipated, and at the end, the Celtics locked in the No. 2 seed and completed a season sweep over their division rival for the first time since the 2019-2020 season. Kristaps Porzingis, a former Knicks player, returned to the Garden and delivered a stellar performance. He tied his career high with eight 3-pointers and finished with 34 points, including a deep triple with 40.8 seconds left in overtime that finally broke the 112-112 tie. Jayson Tatum added 32 points, including the clutch 3-pointer with just three seconds left in regulation. This move set the game into overtime. The odds leading up to the game were tight. The Celtics were slight favorites at -3 (-108) with a -144 moneyline, while the Knicks were +3 (-112) and +122 moneyline. The over/under was set at 223 points, and with a total of 236 scored, the over hit. Fans keeping an eye on trends in California sports betting, as well as betting in other jurisdictions, would’ve noticed that this game was an example of the guidance that odds provide, as well as the unpredictability of NBA games. The best betting sites make up for this unpredictability by offering top odds and fast payouts. Tatum Forces Overtime The Knicks had a 107-104 lead in the closing seconds of regulation after Josh Hart scored on a layup. However, instead of fouling as expected, the Celtics got an open look, and Tatum delivered a game-tying 3-pointer with just 2.9 seconds left. Hart almost had a chance to win it for the Knicks when the buzzer sounded, but his long-range attempt failed. During the extra time, the teams both got baskets until Pozingis scored his game-winning 3-pointer from well beyond the arc. Jrue Holiday then sealed the win by landing four free throws in the last 12.6 seconds. Holiday ended the game with 16 points, while Derrick White added 14 for Boston. Jaylen Brown is still nursing a knee injury and played only 22 minutes but managed to score six points. Despite his absence in the final part of the game, he helped carry the Celtics to victory. Knicks Fight But Fall Short Despite the eventual loss, the Knicks played a good game. Karl-Anthony Towns stood out during the game, recording 34 points and 14 rebounds. Jalen Brunson is still recovering from his ankle injury but contributed 27 points and nine assists. Hart almost had a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, but fouled late in the game. The Knicks started strong and led by 11 points in the first half, mainly thanks to Towns’ offensive play. The New York team was in control for the first two quarters of the game and led 58-52 by halftime. However, the Celtics were not to be beaten and fought back in the second half, eventually overtaking the Knicks as the final-minute drama sent the game into overtime. Celtics On A Winning Streak The defeat over the Knicks marked the Celtics’ ninth straight on the road. This win pushed their road record to 33-7 for the season. This is just one win shy of tying the 2016 Golden State Warriors for the best road record in the history of the NBA. There is only one away game left, in Orlando, and the Boston Celtics may just get their name into the record books. Boston is now 20-4 since the All-Star break and is entering the playoffs as one of the league’s strongest teams. The No. 1 seed, belonging to the Cavaliers, may be out of reach for the time being, but the Celtics are ready for the playoff run, thanks to their postseason experience. Conclusion The win against the Knicks showed that the Boston Celtics are prepared for anything. Tatum and Porzingis stepped up, and the roster continues to perform well under pressure. The Celtics appear to be entering the playoffs with plenty of momentum and enough wins to boost their confidence. If the matchup against the Knicks was any indication, the playoffs promise plenty of excitement from the Eastern Conference teams.