Celtics' Tatum Says 'I Wasn't Trying to Prove Anything' vs. Knicks amid Criticism

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum didn't carry any added motivation into his team's 115-93 win over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"I wasn't trying to prove anything today to anybody," he told reporters after the game. "It was an important game. It was important for us to respond as a team and just wanted to come out here and win. And that's all that was really on my mind."

Despite being the reigning NBA champions and arguably the favorites to go all the way once again, the Celtics invited some skepticism by throwing away 20-point leads in each of the first two games.

There were plenty of jokes Saturday once the gap between Boston and New York grew to 20 once again.

Instead, the Celtics never took their foot off the gas. They got outscored 48-34 in the paint and allowed the Knicks to attempt 35 free throws, but knocking down 20 three-pointers to just five for New York played a decisive role in the outcome.

Tatum finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Boston was plus-23 with him on the court.

The Knicks are still up 2-1 in the series, but the Celtics might be inspiring more confidence after having delivered such a strong collective performance.

"You got to beat us four times; that's what it comes down to," star forward Jaylen Brown said. "Not twice, not once, not three. So, it's a lot of basketball to be played."

Game 3 exemplified why Boston was so heavily favored to advance. Joe Mazzulla's squad shot the lights out, while New York didn't get much help for Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, who combined for 48 points.

While the Celtics have to win one more game than New York does the rest of the way, they put themselves back in the driver's seat Saturday.