Towards the end of Game 2 against Indiana, the Celtics went on 0-for-twenty on free throws. For a team that relies so much on its shooting, it’s as underwhelming as it gets. It’ll be even more insane if we end up seeing an unprecedented Knicks vs Pacers in the ECF. There were Beantown vulnerabilities exposed in that dreadful 4th quarter, and a bit of that was contributed by their big dog, Jayson Tatum.

In the Massachusetts capital, the unlucky number is “20”. For the Knicks, it was a comeback from 20 heading in Game 1 on opposition turf. Historic right? Doing that at the TD Garden would’ve been a huge confidence boost for the underdogs. On the other hand, this was just the start for the Celtics. Little could they predict a second shot from the same gun, with another 20-point comeback in a period where they went 0-20. The Celtics shot just 36.2 percent from the field, including 25 percent (10-40) from downtown over the game.

“I think what was more shocking is the fact Boston just settled, man. And watching them shoot 60 damn threes out of their 97 shots… And the fact they can’t change up the style or the rhythm, like it makes me question, even though I know they’re a better team than the New York Knicks. So yeah, I was shocked at the Knicks one,” said Jay Williams on The Stephen A. Smith Show.

This was uncharted territory. The Greenest Champions were squirming through the 4th quarter. At the center of it all? The Green Mamba, aiming to fight the chip on his shoulder.

“And then watching Jayson pay them down the stretch, just settle and settle and settle. SA, you and I have talked about this. After winning a world championship and then having multiple DNPs in USA basketball with Steve Kerr, like there’s something for Jayson Tatum to prove. And for a guy that’s been there multiple times, if we’re a team that is full of veterans, for them to just to settle for contested three, I was angered by that.”

But Greens know how JT’s mind is shaped – in a way that never settles. They might be 2-0 down, but the Boston Celtics are still champions. And their leader is still the big dog.

Jayson Tatum: “That hasn’t crossed any of our minds”

What Tatum’s trying to say is that they’re still the same NBA ringholders, and the same 18-time winners. This is just a rough patch. Even on a bad day at the office, they lost by just one solitary point. Imagine them on a regular business day.

“You’ve got to be the same person when things are going well and when things aren’t going well. It’s not about our season being two games from over. That hasn’t crossed any of our minds. We’ve got game on Saturday at 3:30,” reported Justin Turpin of 93.7 FM. This Tatum drama can’t age well either – because even “off-days”, he’s still clocked two double-doubles in the two losses this series.

But there’s a layer of humility to their hero. The Celts are enough. “Look in the mirror, understand that we’ve put ourselves in this situation. What has already happened has happened, and the only thing that we can control is Game 3,” said JT in the postgame press.

Now, the eyes are on Game 3. No bookie is counting Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics in the tie yet. When game 3 hits, they’ll be versatile, and they’ll be ready to take it to the Knicks. Who do you think will come out on top on Saturday?