Celtics 3-pointers: Jayson Tatum, Boston flips the script from deep in Game 3 blowout over Knicks
Context:
The Boston Celtics dramatically improved their three-point shooting in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, achieving a decisive 115-93 victory. After struggling with their shooting in the first two games, they made a remarkable turnaround by sinking 20 out of 40 three-point attempts, a 50 percent success rate. This performance marked a significant shift from their earlier games, where they had difficulty scoring from beyond the arc. Jayson Tatum, who had difficulty in the previous games, also found his rhythm, contributing significantly to the win. The Celtics' improved shooting was crucial in avoiding a potential 3-0 series deficit, showcasing the effectiveness of Joe Mazzulla's 3-point shooting strategy that has been pivotal throughout the season.
Dive Deeper:
Boston Celtics made a significant comeback in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks by greatly enhancing their three-point shooting efficiency, which was previously a weak point in the first two games.
In this game, the Celtics achieved a 50 percent success rate from beyond the arc, making 20 out of 40 attempts, which was a stark contrast to their earlier games where they struggled to make shots during crucial moments.
Jayson Tatum, who had been underperforming in terms of three-point shooting in the first two games, managed to connect on 5 out of 9 attempts, indicating a return to form and playing a key role in the team's victory.
Joe Mazzulla's strategy of focusing on high-volume three-point shooting has been a defining feature of the Celtics' playstyle, having set records for the number of trifectas during the regular season.
The Celtics' improved shooting was not only critical in securing a 22-point victory but also in preventing a daunting 3-0 series deficit, underlining the strategic importance of their shooting performance.
Despite New York's robust defense, Boston's ability to exploit open looks and convert them into points was pivotal in their Game 3 win.
The performance highlighted the Celtics' potential to dominate games through effective shooting from beyond the arc, a strategy that had previously helped them during the regular season and against the Magic.
After calamitous three-point shooting across their first two games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Celtics stormed back with a vengeance on Saturday afternoon.
Boston produced a 3-point-shooting epic beneath the glint Madison Square Garden lights in Game 3, setting off a 20-plus-point advantage that held firm as the clock dwindled down.
The Celtics claimed an all-important victory on Saturday, bending the game to their own will en route to a 115-93 shellacking over the Knicks.
The biggest reason for Boston's result change? Besides the desperation of attempting to avoid a 3-0 hole, the Celtics were also spurred on by a likely candidate; 3-point shooting.
The Celtics dropped 15 more anchors than their adversary, good for 45-point 3-point shooting edge. That can tend to make a difference in shaping a result.
With that, here's what you need to know about Boston's shot-making ways in its critical Game 3 win.
Celtics 3-point shooting
The Celtics found a rhythm from beyond the arc, canning 20-of-40 triples, a 50 percent success rate.They fared much worse in the opening two games of the series, seeing effort after effort rattle off the tin, particularly during crunch time.
Under Joe Mazzulla's tutelage, Boston has fired off more shots from beyond the arc than any other team in league history. In 2024, the Celtics sank 1,351 trifectas, the third-highest total in history. They improved that tally to a record 1,457 during the 2024-25 regular season, all while posting a respectable 36.8 percent three-point shooting percentage, the joint ninth-best tally in the league this year.
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- Simply, prolific 3-point shooting is part and parcel to Mazzulla's tactical ideology. That method worked wonders during Boston's five-game blitz past the Magic, where the Celtics averaged nearly 12 triples a game on 37.8 percent shooting.
The start of the Knicks series proved a drag. Only one player — Payton Pritchard — posted a 3-point rate above 30 percent. Jayson Tatum, who 5-of-9 triples on Saturday, had especially struggled, connecting on just 5-of-20 attempts in the first two games.
Saturday's showing revealed that such performances were more anomaly than anything else. New York's defense was dogged in the opening two games, but it's not as if the C's weren't missing wide-open looks, either.
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Those attempts started to fall on Saturday afternoon. With a 22-point win in its back pocket, Boston was rewarded for it, too.
Here's a look at how Boston's three-point numbers from Saturday compared to its Game 1 and Game 2 figures.
Game 3 Game 1 + Game 2 20 3PT FG 25 40 3PT FG attempted 100 50% 3PT% 25% W, 115-93 Celtics result L, 208-205 (OT); L, 92-90