Boston made 20 three-pointers and beat New York 115-93 in Game 3, cutting the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1.
Payton Pritchard scored 23 from the bench as the Celtics finally found the shooting that deserted them in two home defeats.
Boston starts fast at the Garden
The Celtics made their first four three-point attempts and hit six of seven during a 36-point opening quarter.
Jayson Tatum and Pritchard struck on consecutive possessions to make it 55-33. Boston carried a 71-46 advantage into half-time.
The lead reached 31, ensuring there would be no third straight comeback from a 20-point deficit.
Five Celtics score at least 15
Tatum finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. He and Pritchard made five threes each.
Jaylen Brown scored 19, Derrick White added 17 and Al Horford had 15 as Boston spread the scoring.
The Celtics protected the ball, controlled the glass and limited the transition chances that had helped New York win the first two games.
Knicks struggle from outside
New York made 5 of 25 three-point attempts. Jalen Brunson scored 27, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 15 rebounds.
The Celtics deliberately fouled Mitchell Robinson, who went 4 of 12 from the free-throw line.
Brunson said the Knicks may have become subconsciously satisfied with a 2-0 lead. Boston’s response reminded them that the defending champions still needed to be beaten twice more.
