Boston Celtics legend Kevin Garnett proposed an interesting theory about the second-round series against the New York Knicks.
Despite being the superior team on paper, the Boston Celtics have had no answer for the New York Knicks so far in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
As a result, the Celtics lost Games 1 and 2 at home as they now face a 2-0 deficit ahead of Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.
The Celtics are certainly under pressure right now and former NBA superstar Kevin Garnett recently proposed a theory for the reason behind this current deficit.
Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesKevin Garnett thinks NY Knicks benefited from facing Detroit Pistons
Before taking on the Celtics, the Knicks locked horns with the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
It was a tough series for both sides, but Jalen Brunson ultimately helped the Knicks seal the win in Game 6 with a phenomenal game-winner.
Coming back to Garnett’s comments, the ex-Celtics star believes taking on an aggressive team like the Pistons may have helped the Knicks overcome the skill gap against the C’s in the second round.
“I’m wondering if the physicality from Detroit carried into this series. They [Knicks] have the most aggressive team by far when you watch,” Garnett said.
He added: “I think the Celtics definitely need to go into New York with a different mentality.”
Garnett wants the Celtics to ‘pay attention’
Even though the Celtics are on the back foot, the series is far from over. If the Knicks can come at Boston and win two games, then so can the Celtics in New York.
Either way, Garnett is enjoying this clash of titans in the East, but still urged the Celtics to ‘pay attention’ for the rest of the series.
“I love this for basketball, you got two great cities who love basketball going at it. I want to see great basketball with two titans going at it,” KG continued.
“You get beat twice at home, you got to pay attention,” Garnett concluded.
Will the Celtics bounce back and register their first win of the series? Or will the Knicks take a commanding 3-0 lead? Fans will find out soon.