Celtics dominate Knicks to launch NBA title defense

Jayson Tatum scored 37 points as the Boston Celtics kicked off their NBA title defense with a commanding 132-109 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.

The evening began with a pre-game ceremony celebrating the raising of Boston’s record-breaking 18th championship banner, setting the stage for a performance that indicated the Celtics remain a force to be reckoned with this season.

Boston dominated from the start, amassing a staggering 43 points in the first quarter. Tatum was on fire, hitting six three-pointers and contributing 18 points during the first half alone. Following the emotional banner-raising ceremony, Tatum expressed his pride in the team’s performance and their commitment to winning back-to-back championships. “Tonight was special. For many of us, it was our first experience getting a ring and raising the banner. We were able to reset and focus on winning against a strong team,” he said.

Last season, the Celtics won 64 games during the regular season and only lost three times in the playoffs, culminating in a 4-1 series victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. This championship run followed years of postseason frustrations, including a 4-2 defeat to Golden State in the 2022 Finals and a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Miami in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals.

Retaining the core of their championship roster, the Celtics demonstrated their readiness to defend their title against the Knicks. Under head coach Joe Mazzulla, the team quickly established control, with Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday all scoring in double figures before halftime. Boston headed into the break with a solid 74-55 lead.

Despite matching the Celtics in scoring during a balanced second quarter, the Knicks struggled to gain ground in the second half as Boston maintained its dominance, ultimately securing the win.

In addition to his scoring, Tatum recorded 10 assists and four rebounds. White contributed 24 points, while Brown added 23, and Holiday chipped in with 18 points. Al Horford also made an impact with 11 points. For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride each scored 22 points.

After the game, Tatum expressed frustration over some missed three-point attempts in the fourth quarter but praised his teammates’ ability to refocus after the emotional festivities. “It was a special transition from last year to this year. We got our rings, raised the banner, and now it’s time to focus on the next season. We need to prepare for Washington on Thursday,” he concluded.

Source: AFP.