Kristaps Porzingis Makes Strong Statement After Another Celtics Collapse vs. Knicks

The Boston Celtics had the chance to go up 2-0 in their playoff series against the New York Knicks, but after two blown leads they now find themselves in a massive hole.

Despite the turn of events, Kristaps Porzingis is maintaining his optimism and a sense of perspective on the series.

The Celtics allowed another 20-point comeback from the Knicks on Wednesday, losing 91-90 after going cold in the fourth quarter. Porzingis was still nursing an illness that forced him out of the second half of Game 1, coming off the bench in Game 2 and scoring eight points with four rebounds in just 14 minutes.

After the loss, with the Celtics facing a 2-0 hole and a trip to New York for the next two games, Porzingis saw a potential benefit to the situation.

“In a way, it kinda takes all the pressure off of us," Porzingis said. "If you check the odds, maybe the Knicks are the favorites now to win.”

Celtics guard Jaylen Brown agreed, saying the Celtics now have the chance to respond in the series and need to seize it.

"Opportunity to show what we're made of," Brown said, via ESPN. "We've got to respond."

The Knicks have an opportunity of their own, heading back to Madison Square Garden with the chance to take a stranglehold on the series. Jalen Brunson, who scored 17 points on Wednesday including a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left to give the Knicks the win, said his team needs to stay focused now.