Miami – If the Knicks can keep it close, they will retain the advantage for point guards.
And that's the most important thing for the Celtics too.
Jalen Brunson is performing a biweekly production of Captain Clutch, and the Knicks have been transformed into the league's top team in the most pressing situation.
The NBA defines “clutch time” as overtime where the last five minutes of the fourth quarter, or scores within five points.
The Knicks are elite in that category, but not the best thanks to Cleveland.
But once you dive deep into the pressure, New York is unparalleled.
If the result is really on the line – if there are less than two minutes left, if the score is within 2 points – the Knicks will earn 80% (12-3) while shooting 63% from the field and 56% with 3 pointers.
There are no other teams nearby.
For example, the Celtics are 8-9 in these games, shooting 41% and 32% from the field, 32%.
They remain their favorites for winning the championship with the most complete starting five, but they're melting in the clutch if there's reason to criticize Boston in their five-year advantage.
That wasn't relevant last year as the Celtics steamed throughout the postseason, but in 2023 it collapsed against the heat and the Warriors collapsed as the offense was left to the ISO ball along with Jason Tatum Chucking.
It felt like the Knicks' best hope if they were to face Boston in the second round on Friday night.
In Memphis, Branson was once again navigating victory time in the cold of the poolside mojito. He filled the Go Ahead Tray with 24 seconds left and gave OG Anunoby for the winner about five seconds before the buzzer.
This was the latest display of confidence from the clutch player of the year front runner.
“I know if we're in a close game or not. He's one of the few people in the league, and you made sure it was nearby and let him go to work,” Josh Hart said.
In Boston, the Celtics were falling apart after taking a 25-3 lead over the Cavaliers.
They managed just 16 points in the fourth quarter of a 123-116 defeat, with Tatum scoring 46 overall, but only six points in the final period.
In the series between the Knicks and Celtics (predicted second round), Tatum is the best player.
However, in the final two minutes of each game, Branson is the best option to carry the winner.
As Branson recently explained, the clutch gene was handed over from her mother, Sandra.
The problem is that the Knicks aren't getting close at all this season with Boston's matchups.
They were blown three times. The moment of encouragement was something that was hoped last week that Knicks players were spot on in a short third quarter comeback and were heading in the right direction against their divisional rivals.
Branson had no chance to tie the cape at crunch time. There's nothing else against the Celtics until April 8th, and perhaps until the semi-finals of the Eastern Conference.
Until then, the Knicks have plenty of time to improve by incorporating Mitchell Robinson. Coincidentally, Sunday's next game against the Heat is in the spot of Branson's worst clutch moment in the NBA, who committed an end-of-game turnover in Miami, which eliminated New York from the 2023 playoffs.
Since then, Branson has been Captain Clutch and is now the best reason to believe the Knicks can bring glory to the mighty Boston.
