Summary of "Can the Celtics Come Back and Beat the Knicks?" – The Athletic NBA Daily (May 8, 2025)
Hosted by The Athletic's Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni, this episode delves into the intense NBA playoff battles, focusing primarily on the Boston Celtics versus the New York Knicks series. The discussion also touches on the Thunder vs. Nuggets matchup and the Warriors' struggles without Steph Curry.
1. Introduction to the Episode
The episode kicks off with a comprehensive overview of the current NBA playoff landscape, setting the stage for an in-depth analysis of pivotal series. The primary focus is on whether the Boston Celtics can overcome their recent setbacks and defeat the New York Knicks.
2. Knicks vs. Celtics: A Battle of Combacks and Defense
Knicks' Resurgence: The New York Knicks have displayed remarkable resilience, securing two consecutive victories against the Boston Celtics by overcoming 20-point deficits. Host 4 emphasizes, “The Knicks have once again manufactured a huge comeback” (02:25).
Defensive Prowess: The Knicks' defensive strategy has been pivotal to their success. Host 5 highlights their adaptability: “The Knicks defense is how willing they've been to switch” (03:30). Key players like Mitchell Robinson and Jalen Brunson have been instrumental. Robinson’s defensive adjustments and Brunson’s clutch performances have been critical, with Host 5 noting, “Jalen Brunson, Mr. Clutch hits the free throws” (06:56).
Impact of Key Players: Mikhail Bridges and OG Anunoby have stepped up defensively, contributing game-winning steals and maintaining pressure on opposing offenses. Host 4 remarks on Bridges’ increased physicality: “Bridges having zero points going into the fourth quarter and then hitting 14 points” (07:14).
Celtics' Struggles: The Celtics have struggled with execution, particularly on the offensive end. Host 3 criticizes their missed shots: “They went 10 of 40 from 3 for the Celtics” (07:31). Injuries and the absence of key players like Porzingis have further hampered their performance.
3. Thunder vs. Nuggets: Dominance and Execution
Thunder's Performance: The Oklahoma City Thunder have shown dominance, especially in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets. Host 5 praises their defensive intensity: “They look like we expected them to in game one” (08:52).
Nuggets' Challenges: The Denver Nuggets faced a significant setback with a 43-point loss, attributed to poor execution and offensive struggles. Host 4 discusses the Nuggets' fatigue: “Jokic is the best player in the world, right. He puts up 42 and 20” (10:07).
Series Outlook: There's speculation about the Nuggets' ability to rebound in upcoming games. Host 4 anticipates a challenging Game 3: “I don't see the Celtics wilting here. There's nothing to indicate that” (26:11).
4. Warriors vs. Timberwolves: Steph Curry's Absence
Impact of Injury: Steph Curry's injury has cast uncertainty over the Warriors' playoff prospects. Host 5 discusses the potential timeline for his return: “If he's out at least a week, he's probably out for seven to 10 days” (13:16).
Warriors' Strategy Without Curry: The Warriors face the challenge of compensating for Curry's absence. Host 4 expresses optimism about their defensive capabilities: “Their ability to defend gives him a chance against a team like Minnesota” (13:40).
Role of Jimmy Butler: Jimmy Butler's leadership is highlighted as a critical factor for the Warriors' chances. Host 4 states, “I'm not ready to say that Jimmy Butler can't be the number one guy and win a game” (14:28).
5. League-Wide Trends and Observations
Blown Leads and Road Wins: The episode touches on a league-wide trend of teams struggling to maintain leads, particularly on the road. Host 3 attributes this to the "three-point era" leveling the playing field, making home-court advantages less pronounced (28:40).
Health and Attrition: Health is underscored as a crucial factor in playoff success. Host 3 notes, “The team that wins the championship usually is the healthiest team” (26:11). The series' intensity has led to increased injuries, affecting team performances.
6. Conclusion and Predictions
Series Outlook: The hosts express varied opinions on the potential outcomes of the series discussed. Host 3 remains optimistic about the Celtics' ability to adjust and possibly extend the series to six games: “I just don't see the Celtics wilting here” (26:11).
Final Thoughts: The episode wraps up with a hopeful outlook on the playoffs, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the matches and the excitement they bring to fans. Host 4 concludes, “That's what we play. As the NBA used to say, like these series are probably all going to go a long time. Hopefully, it's going to be one of the best second rounds” (28:40).
Notable Quotes with Speaker Attribution and Timestamps
- Host 4: “The Knicks have once again manufactured a huge comeback” (02:25)
- Host 5: “The Knicks defense is how willing they've been to switch” (03:30)
- Host 3: “They went 10 of 40 from 3 for the Celtics” (07:31)
- Host 4: “Bridges having zero points going into the fourth quarter and then hitting 14 points” (07:14)
- Host 5: “Jalen Brunson, Mr. Clutch hits the free throws” (06:56)
- Host 4: “I just don't see the Celtics wilting here” (26:11)
- Host 3: “The team that wins the championship usually is the healthiest team” (26:11)
This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in.