Context:

The Boston Celtics find themselves in a precarious situation, trailing 2-0 against the New York Knicks as they head into Game 3, marking their toughest challenge since last year's postseason. Despite having substantial leads in the first two games, the Celtics faltered due to critical errors, with All-Star Jayson Tatum struggling significantly with his shooting. The stakes are high as no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit, and the Celtics must overcome their offensive woes to stay in contention. Meanwhile, the Western Conference series between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves is tied 1-1, with both teams focusing heavily on defense. As Game 3 approaches, the Knicks' Jalen Brunson emphasizes maintaining focus and composure, while the Celtics aim to reverse their fortunes and defend their title.

Dive Deeper:

• The Boston Celtics are in a challenging position, facing a 2-0 deficit against the New York Knicks and needing a win in Game 3 to avoid a historically insurmountable 3-0 hole. This situation is more dire than any they encountered in the previous year's playoffs.

• Despite leading by 20 points in the second halves of the first two games, the Celtics lost both matches due to key turnovers and an ineffective offense, particularly highlighted by Jayson Tatum's shooting struggles.

• No NBA team has ever recovered from a 3-0 series deficit, increasing the urgency for the Celtics to rectify their performance, especially since they were strong on the road during the regular season with a 33-8 record.

• In the Western Conference, the series between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves is evenly matched at 1-1, with both teams emphasizing defensive strategies. The Timberwolves rebounded from a poor shooting performance in Game 1 to dominate Game 2.

• With Stephen Curry sidelined due to injury, the Warriors' coach Steve Kerr has been experimenting with various player combinations, and the team managed to maintain competitiveness through strategic adjustments.

• The Knicks' Jalen Brunson insists on staying focused on each play and being present in the moment, a mindset that has helped them secure their 2-0 lead against the Celtics.

• The series between the Celtics and Knicks draws significant attention as ticket prices soar, reflecting the fans' anticipation of New York's potential first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years.