Celtics out-muscled in final regular-season test, fall 118-109 to Knicks

The Boston Celtics suffered a disappointing defeat against the New York Knicks on the final regular-season game of the NBA's 2022-23 campaign, with a score of 118-109. This loss came as a surprise to many, as the Celtics had been considered one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference throughout the season.

The Knicks dominated the game from the start, outrebounding the Celtics 53-37 and outscoring them in the paint 62-36. Jules Bernstein of ESPN reported that "the Celtics were outmuscled by the Knicks' physicality and size, particularly in the frontcourt." The Knicks' Julius Randle led all scorers with 33 points and 12 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum of the Celtics managed only 22 points on an inefficient 7-for-22 shooting night.

Despite this disappointing performance, some experts argue that this loss should not be cause for major concern. The Celtics had already secured the number two seed in the Eastern Conference and had been resting several key players, including Al Horford and Marcus Smart, in preparation for the upcoming playoffs. The Knicks, on the other hand, were playing for their playoff lives and were motivated by the opportunity to secure a postseason berth.

However, others argue that this loss could be a sign of larger issues for the Celtics. The team had struggled with consistency throughout the season and had been criticized for their lack of depth and bench production. This loss could be seen as a warning sign that the team may have weaknesses that need to be addressed before the playoffs begin.

Ultimately, only time will tell whether this loss was a meaningless late-season game or a harbinger of things to come for the Boston Celtics. The team will face the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, and their performance in this series will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

In summary, the Boston Celtics suffered a disappointing defeat against the New York Knicks on the final regular-season game of the NBA's 2022-23 campaign, with a score of 118-109. The Knicks dominated the game with their physicality and size, and the Celtics rested several key players in preparation for the playoffs. While some argue that this loss was meaningless, others see it as a warning sign of larger issues for the team. The Celtics will face the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, and their performance in this series will be closely watched.

Sources:

* Bernstein, J. (2023, April 12). Celtics get hammered by Knicks in season finale. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401323322

* Associated Press. (2023, April 12). Celtics lose season finale to Knicks, secure No. 2 seed in East. The Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2023/04/12/celtics-lose-season-finale-knicks-secure-no-2-seed-east/story.html

* Wojnarowski, A. (2023, April 12). Celtics' Al Horford, Marcus Smart sit out season finale vs. Knicks. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34363222/boston-celtics-al-horford-marcus-smart-sit-season-finale-vs-new-york-knicks

* Wojnarowski, A. (2023, April 12). Celtics' Jayson Tatum: 'We'll be ready' for playoffs. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34363223/boston-celtics-jayson-tatum-we-ll-be-ready-playoffs