Boston – The Knicks are in an underdog position.
They’re not favored at all.
Often seen as the little guy.
This double-digit NCAA Tournament seed is gearing up to defy expectations.
No one seems to think they have a chance.
The Celtics are heavily favored, holding a 9.5-point advantage in their first game at TD Garden. This marks their fourth consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, and they’re almost guaranteed to make it five out of six years.
A recent ESPN poll saw all 11 analysts picking the Celtics to advance, with only two predicting a seven-game series.
During the regular season, the Celtics dominated Tom Thibodeau’s team, winning by double digits in three out of four encounters.
“I don’t care,” said Josh Hart, one of the quieter voices on the Knicks. “If people think we’re counted out, let’s play with some freedom. We’re focused on how we feel and what we need to do.
“We’re not bothered by others’ opinions. The same folks who might cheer us today will criticize us tomorrow.”
For Hart, the regular season is just noise.
It doesn’t hold much relevance for the playoffs.
The Knicks struggled against the Pistons during the regular season, winning only one out of four games and heading into the postseason with some doubts.
Mitchell Robinson participated in just one match against the Celtics, which the Knicks almost won—only to lose in overtime after Jason Tatum sank key three-pointers.
The impact of a 7-footer like Robinson on defense could be crucial.
The focus now shifts to how Jalen Brunson and the Knicks will perform starting Monday night.
The Celtics’ main advantage is playing one extra game at home.
“That doesn’t matter,” Hart emphasized. “What’s done is done; the playoffs are a clean slate. We can take lessons from past games, but now it’s all about stepping up as a team today.”
Clearly, the Knicks must be at their absolute best to pull off an upset.
The Celtics are likely to arrive at Game 1 fully prepared, with defensive star Jrue Holiday showing no signs of injury after missing the last three games in the prior series.
“Winning is all about balance,” Thibodeau noted. “Even if you hit rough patches, you can’t let those affect your mindset.”
This playoff season is a path away from previous setbacks, especially from the last two when the Knicks fell to the Heat in the second round.
The Celtics won it all last year with the same roster.
They possess depth and experience.
The Knicks need everything to go their way.
Yet, they feel they deserve to be here.
“Confidence is essential. If you’re not playing to win, why are you even playing?” Hart remarked. “We trust in ourselves and our coaching. I’m sure the Celtics feel the same.”
