The Knicks are not dead in their series against the Celtics.
But when they take the floor Friday night in a shaking-the-building loud Madison Square Garden, there will be a guy standing in the corner wearing a full length black hooded robe, with a boney hand holding a sickle. He’s waiting for just one more end-of-game mistake — from player or coach — and then he will claim his prize.
New York came into this series with a puncher’s chance — they were not the better team, but they had two guys capable of landing haymakers and stealing a game. And both did.
Both games this series the Celtics were staggered. Then held on to win.
The Celtics executed better at the end of games, something now ingrained in their championship DNA. The Knicks could not finish them off. They are still alive only because they go home with the chance to take that next step, catch a couple breaks and execute when the game is decided.
The math is simple — either they step up and win the next two or they will fly back to Boston for an inevitable end. With that hooded guy riding in first class.
In Game 1, Amar’e Stoudemire was an unstoppable force in the fourth quarter. His driving dunk with 2:47 left had the Knicks up five. Then, for reasons as baffling as what happened to the Mayans, after the 2-minute mark he got no more shots off. Because a Ronny Turiaf layup was a better idea. Or a long ‘Melo three. Toney Douglas gave the Knicks hope with a long three, but then it was two more missed ‘Melo contested jumpers. Stoudemire never got a chance. That’s on Anthony. That’s on D’Antoni.
Meanwhile the Celtics executed on both ends. They stuck with what they wanted to do. They played like veterans. They won.
Game two was about Celtic execution and the lack of Knick depth. This time it was Anthony who threw the haymaker — 42 points on 30 shots and hitting wild, contested threes late like few shooters in the game every could. He was a marvel
But with the game on the line, Boston brought the hard double to get the ball out of ‘Melo’s hands and his passing options included Jared Jeffries, Bill Walker and Roger Mason. Those are 10 minutes a game guys on most playoff teams, they never see the court on a true contending team. But they were the Knicks crunch time lineup because Chauncey Billups has a bum knee, Stoudemire’s back was spasming and Landry Fields’ game has gone into the witness protection program.
The Celtics held serve at home. New York is still alive. Yes, the Knicks have to win 4-of-5 and find a way to win in Boston. But not right now. Right now they need to win two at home, where Spike Lee will be making a spectacle of himself. And that’s just what he wears to the game.
The Knicks need to keep landing the haymakers, and they have to add end-of-game execution. Not Jeffries trying to throw a bounce pass past Kevin Garnett, but smart plays. From key players. Staying with the hot hand, getting the timely stop. Making the timely shot because you made a good decisions not forced one up in isolation. Because the coach had the right players on the floor (read: not Jeffries).
The Knicks are not dead. But if they don’t execute the executioner is waiting. And wearing green.
