Context:

The Boston Celtics find themselves in a challenging position, trailing 2-0 against the New York Knicks, as they prepare for Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. Their strategy of heavy reliance on three-point shooting has faltered, as evidenced by their poor shooting percentages in both games. Kristaps Porzingis, a crucial player for the Celtics, is struggling with an undisclosed illness that has limited his playtime and effectiveness, further complicating the team's efforts. Despite his illness, Porzingis has expressed gratitude for the support from the organization and fans, but acknowledges the difficulty of performing under these conditions. The Celtics face the daunting task of adjusting their game plan and overcoming Porzingis's health challenges to remain competitive in the series.

Dive Deeper:

• The Boston Celtics are in a difficult situation, down 2-0 in their series against the New York Knicks, with the next game set to take place at Madison Square Garden.

• Their strategy of shooting a high volume of three-pointers has backfired, as they missed a record number in Game 1 and continued to struggle in Game 2, maintaining a low 25% success rate from beyond the arc.

• Kristaps Porzingis, who had the second-best three-point shooting percentage in the regular season, is suffering from an unknown illness that is significantly affecting his performance and presence on the court.

• Porzingis has openly discussed his struggles with illness, expressing frustration over its impact during this critical series, yet he remains thankful for the support he receives from his team and fans.

• The Celtics must rethink their game plan and address the absence of a fully fit Porzingis if they hope to turn the series around and challenge the Knicks effectively.

• The Boston Celtics are in a precarious 2-0 hole against the New York Knicks, with the series heading back to Madison Square Garden. In Game 1, they missed a playoff record 45 threes and shot 25% from beyond the arc. Game 2 saw them miss thirty threes and once again shoot 25%.

• The strategy of chucking threes worked well in the regular season, as they shot 17.8 per game, making 36.8% of them, leading the league. The game plan will have to change if the Celtics want any chance at winning this series.

• Not helping Boston has been the mysterious illness plaguing center Kristaps Porzingis. Their big man, who had the second-best shooting percentage from three in the regular season (41.2%), has not looked right. He's only played a total of 27 minutes through the first two games and the Celtics are missing his presence.

• Porzingis opened up in his post-game press conference about what he has been going through.

• "Yeah, I'm dealing with some, I don't know how to call it, but I'm just not feeling my best. I'm not feeling my best at all, but it kills me inside that it's happening in this moment, and what I'm super appreciative about is the support that I have on the inside, also probably from the fans, but especially here, inside the organisation."

• It is still not publicly known what Porzingis has exactly been dealing with, but clearly, there is something more to it than him just having the common cold.

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• "It's not an injury or nothing, but I'm just not feeling my best, and it's tough for me, honestly, but who cares? Nobody feels sorry for us, sorry for me, and we have to keep going."

• The series will pick back up in New York on Saturday for Game 3.

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