19. 2011 Game 1 Eastern Conference First Round
vs. Boston Celtics
After what seemed like an eternity,
the Knicks were playing basketball in late April.
I finally got to witness a playoff game since
the first time I was an eighth grader at A.B. Davis Middle School, fawning over
some girl named Olivia.
Unfortunately, the Knicks first
playoff game ended in heartbreaking fashion, a loss in Boston, to the hated
Celtics
.
The Knicks actually came out strong to start the game, which led Knicks
fans believe we actually had a chance to win this series. They even led by 12
at halftime! This was a team who had dominated the Knicks during the Dolan
Era.
I still remember
this game to this very
day.
The Celtics fought back in the
second half, but the Knicks were still able to take a slim five-point lead
heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter took years off
my life, as both teams went back and forth trading the lead.
When Toney Douglas hit a three pointer
with about 35 seconds to go, to give the Knicks a three-point lead, I was
ecstatic!
The Knicks were finally going
to win a playoff game for the first time in
TEN
YEARS!! But then, the Knicks
inexplicably allowed the Celtics to convert an alley-oop off coming off of a
timeout, which cut the lead to one.
On the ensuing possession, the
Knicks gave the ball to Melo. Even
though he was having a rough shooting night, (5-17 at that point), I thought to
myself, “Of course, he was going to score and ice the game. This is why the
Knicks gave up half of their team and future draft picks, just for moments like
these. “
But Paul Pierce flopped, and Melo was called
for a bullshit offensive foul with 21 seconds remaining.
How many times has he flopped in his career?
10? 20? 10000??
Remember
this?
What I thought and what they called were two different things,"
Anthony said after the game. Everyone with a semi-functional brain, knew that
was a bad call, except for Doc Rivers.
“Heck of a call to make," he
said, "but it was the right call."
Of course, it was the right call
Doc.
Had he been on the other end of
that call, he’d be bitching about the refs like he did
here,
here,
here and
here.
On the next possession, Ray Allen
hits a three, aided by the 400000th million illegal screen set by
Kevin Garnett, which put the Celtics up two with 11 seconds left.
Out of timeouts, the Knicks
raced up the court, Melo got the ball and shot desperation three that missed,
and just like that, the Knicks lost the game.
How painful!
This game ruined a great night from
Amare who finished with 28 pts and 11 rebs. Even though the Knicks lost this
game, they were confident they would still be able to win the series.
And then there was Game 2…….
Up Next: 18. 2011 Game 2 Eastern Conference First Round
vs. Boston Celtics
