บท 146: Knicks v. Celtics IV
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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~
~~~(Date: October 20th, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: Madison Square Garden, New York)~~~
~~~(Time: 8:13 PM)~~~
It's almost the end of the first quarter, and we're tied with Boston at 29 to 29. I've got a healthy 11 points in the first quarter. Not missing a shot. Along with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. All my steals have been called reach-in fouls. I've only got 2 blocks that have counted.
The problem is I've already got 3 personal fouls. Not even out of the first quarter, and I'm in foul trouble. In the end, it's the best way to limit me. It's unfair that the refs are doing this to me, but I get it.
I'm bringing the ball down the court after an inbound, and I can see Boston isn't going to stop the hard defense even though this is the last possession.
"C'mon, you've been running from us all night."
Smart claps his hands together as he joins Tatum on defense to guard me. It's a bait to get me to make a mistake. The best option would be for me to pass the ball. But sometimes, it's about showing you can't be stopped.
Instead of passing the ball to RJ or Brunson, I drive toward Smart and Tatum. Taking them by surprise with the move. I spin loose from Tatum, but Smart is sticking with me. As the clock is in the final seconds. I elevate near the top of the key.
I take the shoot and sink it, and I'm fouled in the process. It's clear, but no whistle comes. Yells and chants about the refs start coming from the crowd. That's another 2 points for us and put us in the lead with 31 to 29.
"If this is all you motherfuckers got, you're in for a long night."
I make sure Smart and Tatum hear me as I walk toward my bench before I turn around completely. They try to cry about it to the refs, but they weren't looking or listening to what I was saying.
A bottle of Gatorade has made its way into my hands, and I'm taking measured swigs. Tom is busy hashing out the first quarter with the refs, so I'm just relaxing with my teammates.
"I think it needs to be said."
The moment I speak, everyone turns their attention to me.
"There is a decent chance I could foul out this game. I've stopped attempting steals, but I might end up with 6 personal fouls by the time the end of the 4th quarter comes around. These refs aren't giving us many chances."
This gets the attention of the starting lineup. Which are Brunson, Barret, Michel Robinson, and Jericho. My team has been really good tonight. Both Brunson and Barret have taken the load off scoring. Jericho is already at 5 points and 8 rebounds.
Robinson has been setting great screens the entire first quarter. That was the only reason we have a lead. We'd be blown out if we weren't crushing them on the boards.
"I'm going to try my damndest to stay in the game. In the second quarter, let's ditch the perimeter shooting for the first 6 minutes. While we can hit those, I want to wear out the defense. Let's bang them up in the post and keep the ball moving."
If we're going to beat Boston, we need to take their energy away from them. The only way to do that is to play some old-school basketball. Robinson, Jericho, and I will be brusing them inside the 3-point line. Brunson and Barret will help us run the picks.
"Jalen Brown is killing us. He's already got 15 points and 5 assists. You've shut down Tatum, but they have more firepower than us."
Barret brings up the main concern I've been having. Jalen Brown is taking the lead in terms of offense. When you have multiple All-Star talents on your team, you can do that.
"Then we'll just have to isolate him. Jalen Brown has a terrible habit of over-dribbling. Force him to pick up the ball and pass it. With Tatum on lock, they've only got Smart. He's a defensive player, not an offensive one."
It should be Tom who talks about this, but I feel like him getting his anger out with the refs is good. The rest of MSG is doing it. Refs might make different calls at the start of the second quarter.
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