2011 NBA Playoffs: Down 2-0, New York Knicks Can Still Beat Boston Celtics

At the start of the NBA playoffs, most analysts said that Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups could match up with the big three of the Celtics, but that the big difference was going to be Boston's defense and playoff experience.

However, over the first two games the Knicks have demonstrated that they belong in this series, and can in fact still win it. The Knicks showed the world: 

1. They can play consistent, tough defense for 48 minutes.

2. Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony can score on any Celtics defender.

3. They can more than compete with Toney Douglas at point guard replacing the injured Chauncey Billups.

4. They can make adjustments, such as getting out-rebounded in Game 1 but having an overall +16 rebounding edge and +11 offensive rebounding lead in Game 2.

5. Carmelo Anthony is not the A-Rod of the Knicks. He carried New York in a pressure playoff situation with an amazing 42 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and two blocks.

Most of all, the Knicks showed that they are not overawed and will not back down from the more experienced and more physical Celtics—something that means New York could turn the series around very quickly and put Boston under significant pressure.

How the Series Can Turn

Even the most diehard of Celtics fans would admit it is certainly possible and perhaps probable that the Knicks win Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.

The New York crowd will be in a frenzy wanting to see a victory in the franchise’s first playoff game in seven years, and Knicks players will want revenge after two games they could have won. 

So, let's assume Amare comes back and the Knicks win Game 3. All of a sudden the Knicks will have beaten the Celtics after narrowly losing both games in Boston, and will still have one more home game to tie the series.

With the momentum shifting, Game 4 would be the Knicks' game of the year, and if Amare and Carmelo play like they have been New York would almost be favored to win it.

At that point, it would be a six-game series, with the Knicks having a third home game.

Do you think Boston could get rattled a bit realizing they could easily be behind in the series if the Knicks had won one of the first two in Boston (which they certainly deserved)? 

Unlikely, but certainly possible. 

If Amare remains injured, the Knicks can probably win one game—at best. If he's back and healthy, they can win the series. In fact, I like the way the team plays with Douglas at the point better than with Billups, given the higher tempo.

Prediction: The series goes six games, and at that point Carmelo can carry it to a seventh if he stays hot.

And anything can happen in a Game 7.