Leading 26-20 after the first quarter, the Knicks seized control in the second with a 13-3 run, their dominance characterized by Deuce McBride’s chasedown block to deny Derrick White – a moment which had Madison Square Garden on its feet, and which was followed immediately by Hart claiming a second straight basket while being fouled by Jrue Holiday.
By halftime the home team was up 64-37 and never looked back. Complementing Brunson and Anunoby’s 23 points were Bridges’ 22 and Karl-Anthony Towns’ 21. The latter also recorded a career-high 12 rebounds.
Hart became the first Knick since 1972 to record a triple-double in the postseason with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and McBride was the sixth player to reach double figures for New York. Jaylen Brown led the scoring for the Celtics with 20. Boston was without Jayson Tatum after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in Game 4.
“Losing to the Knicks feels like death,” said Brown after the game.
The Knicks will face the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, the same team they played last time they made it this far in 2000. The Pacers are also the team responsible for New York’s playoff exit in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last year.
Game 1 is on Wednesday night in New York.