CNN
–
The New York Knicks arrived at the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years on Friday night, strolling a 119-81 victory over the Boston Celtics’ ruler champions in Game 6.
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby led the score with 23 each on the night when six Knicks players hit double digits to push the team to a 38-point margin of victory.
The victory also represents the Knicks’ first playoff series victory at home since the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals, but Starman Branson had another history in his heart.
“We’ve never been here or been on a team since my dad played. He’s not going to do that!” he laughed in an on-court interview with ESPN. “This means a lot to this organization and this city.”
It was obvious to see them as fans, including Timote Chalamett, Bad Bunny, Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and Renee Kravitz. On a crammed street outside, some fans climbed up the canopy of the subway entrance, while others threw plastic bollards into the air outside Penn station.
“Josh (Hart) showed me a video and walked over here, guys climbing light poles,” laughed Mikal Bridges at a post-game press conference. “It’s crazy, guys. Great for them, happy for them. Obviously I’m new here, but I know how much New York loves their sport, especially the Knicks.”
“They are enjoying it for us now, but obviously we could have gone more.”
The series was defined by the Spirit and by the fight that ended in New York in cruise control after the Knicks overturned a 20-point lead in each of Boston’s first two games.
Leading 26-20 in the first quarter, the Knicks seized control for the second time on a 13-3 run. Their advantage features Deuce McBride’s chase block to deny Derrick White.
By halftime, the home team had risen 64-37 and never looked back. Complementing Branson and Anunoby’s 23-pointers were Bridges’ 22 and Karl Anthony Towns 21. The latter also recorded a career-high 12 rebounds.
Hart became the first Nick since 1972 to record a triple double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in the postseason, while McBride was the sixth player to score a double figure for New York. Jalen Brown led the Celtics scoring in 20. Boston didn’t have Jason Tatum after ruptured his Achilles tendon in Game 4.
“It feels like death to lose to the Knicks,” Brown said after the game.
The Knicks will face the Indiana Pacers in the conference final. They were the same team they had ever been in 2000. The Pacers are also the team responsible for the New York playoff exit in Game 7 of last year’s Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Game 1 will take place in New York on Wednesday night.