2004 was the last time they were in the playoffs and 2001 was when they last actually won a playoff game. When the Knicks tipped off against Boston last night in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, it ended the first streak I mentioned above, but the 87 – 85 defeat still means they haven’t won a post-season game since Allan Houston’s smooth J, and Latrell Sprewell’s screw-face represented the franchise.
During last week’s edition of Monday’s Weekly Knicks Notes, we weren’t sure who New York would be facing in the first round. It was between either Miami or Boston. Due to that uncertainty, I wasn’t able to give predictions at that time. It wasn’t until the following day, we found out the complete playoff picture.
In Podcast 49, I gave my predictions for every first round playoff series, where I stated that Boston would prevail in this one, 4 games to 3. I think this one will go 7 because I feel the Knicks will play the Celtics, who swept the Knicks 4 – 0 in the season series, tougher than people are giving them credit for.
Also, of every playoff team, I feel as if the Celtics were playing the worst heading into the playoffs. They were 8 – 12 in their last 20 games and averaged an NBA-low 90 points during that stretch. They backed their way in and seemed like a shell of their former selves. Conversely, the Knicks were streaking and were playing some of their best ball since acquiring ‘Melo. I gave Boston the edge due to experience of playing together in the post season, while this Knicks bunch is still figuring each other out and are really built for next year and beyond.
I was anticipating last night’s game all weekend. My phone and twitter were blowing up with hate and well wishes alike. When the game finally tipped off, it was surreal to see the Knicks in the playoffs. I loved the intensity with which they played with in the first half en route to a 51 – 39 halftime lead. I was even more impressed with the fact that they were able to do that with Carmelo playing limited minutes due to picking up two fouls in the first 90 seconds of the contest. That halftime lead showed that they were getting it done on both ends of the floor. That’s because guys like Toney Douglas, who has had a tremendous year, and Bill Walker stepped up big time. They were both playing as if they’d each been there before even though that wasn’t the case.
But you had to know that Boston was going to go on a run in the 3rd quarter. All good teams do and last night was no different. The game became very close late in the 4th quarter and Amar’e Stoudemire (28 points) was playing tough when it mattered the most. He had 360 layup and dunk over both KG and Jermaine O’Neal that kept the team’s spirits high. But when Chauncey Billups went down with a strained knee suffered from no contact, that wasn’t a good sign. However, that just gave Toney Douglas the opportunity to come through again. Douglas hit a very timely step-back 3 over Ray Allen to keep the game interesting.
Fast forward to 21 seconds remaining and with the Knicks up 85 – 84, Carmelo was unnecessarily called for an offensive foul by trying to gain position against Paul Pierce in the corner. Did ‘Melo use his left arm create space? Slightly. Was it excessive and should a foul have been called? Absolutely not. Did Paul Pierce flop and act as if there was more contact than there actually was? Of course. He’s Paul Pierce and that’s what he does. There is no way on Earth a foul should’ve been called right there. This is playoff basketball. That contact didn’t give the Knicks any sort of advantage. It’s not as if ‘Melo gained a step on Pierce due to that contact. That basically came down to Paul Pierce trying to win an Oscar, as usual. Pierce is a talented player, but acting is one of the things he does best on the court and it’s disgusting.
Then we all knew what was going to happen next: a 3 by Ray with 11 seconds remaining to put Boston up for good. We’ve all seen that movie before. But what I’m still completely confused by was Carmelo’s decision to take a contested 3-pointer with 5 seconds remaining and his team down by 2. He can easily get by Ray Allen, who was guarding him, and when Rondo came over to help, that left Toney Douglas wide open at the top of the key. Since Rondo came over to help from the left, he should’ve put the ball on the floor to get by Ray to the right. Or, he simply should’ve waited for Rondo to get close enough before swinging it over to Douglas. But what he did was the last thing he should have. The Knicks brought in ‘Melo for those situations and he took a shot that Wilson Chandler or Gallo could’ve taken.
The series resumes tomorrow night in Boston and last night showed me that the Knicks can play with these guys, but that the Celtics will make the right plays at the right time. Translation? Boston in 7.
I expect the Knicks to win tomorrow night and steal home court advantage before returning to New York for Game 3. If they can somehow minimize some mental mistakes and face-guard Ray Allen late in games, maybe they can prove my prediction wrong. We’ll see, and I feel as if Chauncey’s availability will have an impact on their chances greatly.
If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Facebook
