Knicks Down Celtics 85-78 In Game One of The Playoff Opener

The Celtics were in Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks for game one, but this was no ordinary playoff game for Celtics.  After the events of the last five days, Celtics head coach Doc Rivers knew his team was distracted but they had to focus on the game.  MSG did pay tribute to the victims of the bombing but after tip off things got right back to normal.

The first half for both the Celtics and Knicks was a slow start both teams seemed out of rhythm which played into the hands of the Celtics.

Carmelo Anthony came out of the gate in the  first quarter strong but unfortunately for him his teammates didn't follow allowing the Celtics to keep pace.  While the Knicks tried to find themselves the Celtics lead by Jeff Green's 20 first half points looked in charge of the first half.  All the momentum seemed in Boston's favor heading into the half.

The second half was a night and day difference from the first half for the Celtics.  The Celtics went cold from the floor only scoring 25 points in two quarters, and they didn't help themselves by committing 20 turnovers and 15 were steals.

By the fourth the Knicks bench and Anthony stepped up with clutch shots to pull ahead of the Celtics.  The Celtics played a solid defensive game, but were unable to get enough offensive contributions from the bench dropping game to the Knicks 85-78.

Going into game two the Celtics need to go back to the basics and protect the ball because it's hard to win when you turn the ball over 20 times.  The Celtics must also get more out their bench especially Jason Terry who went 0-5 on the floor and 0-4 from the 3-point line.  He was suppose to be one of the guys you could count on come the playoffs all be it its only one game in.

Game two is scheduled for Tuesday April 23, at 8 p.m.