Jalen Brunson Talks Knicks' 0-4 Record vs. Celtics, Says You Can't 'Focus on the Past'
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson doesn't want to dwell too much on his team's winless record against the Boston Celtics in the regular season.
The teams open up their Eastern Conference semifinals series Monday in Boston. Brunson said there are lessons to be learned from losing four straight against the Celtics but that he and his teammates "can't really focus on the past."
New York's struggles against the Celtics were mirrored in the team's season series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the top seed in the East. Like Boston, the Cavs swept the four-game set.
How the Knicks fared in the first round probably did little to dispel the general fears about their championship credentials.
Their final five games with the Detroit Pistons were decided by single digits, and they benefited from an officiating error in Game 4 to secure a 3-1 series lead.
Despite having an edge in experience and top-end talent, the Knicks were unable to make a firm statement against a Pistons squad making its first postseason run together.
That doesn't bode well knowing that the most battle-tested foe in the playoff field lies ahead.
The Celtics weathered the Orlando Magic's physicality and advanced in five games, blowing Orlando out by 31 points in the decisive contest.
Maybe this is when everything finally clicks for New York and it consistently reaches the level many were expecting after the blockbuster trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns.
All things being equal, Boston simply looks to have a stronger squad regardless of whether it enjoys any mental edge thanks to dominating the head-to-head meetings earlier in the year.
