Obviously, I want the Knicks to win anyway, but if you watched or read anything the past few days it should fuel you even more. Basically, this series is the Celtics vs. the Celtics, and the Knicks are an afterthought. You would think the Knicks are a college team playing the best team in the history of the NBA. Other than Perk on ESPN, everyone is picking the Celts to win still, the only reason the Knicks are up 2-0 is because the Celts lost, and every story or analysis is told from the Celts POV. Tatum is amazing, Brunson is whatever. It really is kind of disgusting. The Knicks should use every bit of it to help keep them focused and motivated and they need to continue playing with the same underdog mindset. Show everyone you are legit, you are a force, you deserve respect, and there are actually two teams in this series.
What's being missed here is the Knicks have talent. They have two stars, three good to very good players (who all play D), and a rare big off the bench who plays D and is tough downlow. As we have discussed, they don't always play up to their talent level, which is why they struggled against the best this season, but they deserve more respect after games 1 & 2 than they are getting.
Just like with the Cavs/Pacers last night, I think game 3 is going to be extremely difficult for the Knicks to win. If Boston doesn't win today the series is over, and they know it, so they are playing for their season. I believe game 4 will be the game that decides this series, if the Knicks go up 3-1, I think they'll win the series. BTW, the Knicks should have watched the Cavs/Pacers game closely as it's almost an identical situation and should be a good guide to what the Knicks are up against today, they will get the Celtics best in game 3.
I don't think this series is over, and I think winning game 3 will be very difficult, maybe even unlikely, but that isn't the point. The lack of respect, and all about Boston is disrespectful, and the Knicks need to use that as fuel. Cannot lose both games 3 & 4, win one of the next two games, and they are in great shape. And I think they have a solid shot to win game 4 and go up 3-1.