Need-to-know stats from the Knicks’ thrashing win over the Celtics

There is never a dull moment in New York City basketball.

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After a thrilling game courtesy of RJ Barrett, a 108-105 win over the Celtics at Madison Square Garden saw the Knicks overtake Boston to become the final seed in the Eastern Conference game.

The Knicks, who lost to Boston by 25 points (more then), led by Evan Fournier – a career-high 41 points (10 out of 14 from a 3-point range), and Julius Randle won by 22 points and eight times back on.

Jayson Tatum leads towards Boston with 36 points but still not enough.

Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting statistics of the evening.

10: 3 points by Evan Fournier

Fournier was knocked unconscious from long range, performing 10 of his 14 attempts at distance. Knick in the end to be so prolific in a game from the 3-point range? Of course, it was JR Smith.

Smith knocked out 10 3 against Miami in 2014.

35: Fournier’s GPA this season vs. Knicks

In three games against the Celtics this season, Fournier is playing a lot better against his old side than the others.

Fournier has scored 30 or more goals just three times this season and all of those games have been against the Celtics.

10: Years since the Knicks won the typist’s last game

Well, it seems like a lot hasn’t happened to the Knicks since JR Smith left – do it your way – but RJ Barrett’s 3-point winner in the game is the first since JR Smith frozen this game for the Knicks in Phoenix back in 2012.

He was also the first Knicks player to make a winning typing game at MSG since David Lee in December 2006. Each of the three typists who won the previous Knicks game are on their way.

Barrett had a poor night of shooting against Team C – he was only 3rd out of 14 coming into the frontcourt the but he is clearly the most important person, am i right?

16: Celtics lose clutch this season

Boston is starting to tend to lose focus during the game. This loss is only the fourth time this season they have lost a game by leading by 15 points or more – the only team to do so are the Pelicans, and that says a lot.

Boston have lost six of their last seven games of extended time (scoring five points in the last five minutes), and well, that’s not great either. In general, the Cs have lost 16 of their 23 games went to the clutch.

Needless to say, coach Ime Udoka was not satisfied after the game.

“It’s the same result. We lacked some sort of mental toughness there,” he say. “We need someone to stay calm until late. Not someone to add when things start to accelerate. Sometimes it feels like everyone is trying to do it alone.”

Celtics join Lakers be the only team to take the lead by 25 points this season.

2: Win the Knicks’ 25-point comeback over the past 25 seasons

When the Knicks drop big points – specifically 25 points or more – history shows they won’t win the game.

The only other team to overcome a 25-point deficit this season is the Thunder coming in from behind to beat the Lakers. The Celtics have a chance to rematch the Knicks in the next few days at TD Garden.