Thurs AM BRB (5-27-21): Rose’s Garden
This Day in Music (5-27-1975)
Andre 3000, modern-day renaissance man and co-founder of OutKast, is born in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Elsa
For the first time in eight years, the New York Knicks sent thousands of fans pouring out of Madison Square Garden to take to the streets in celebration of a 101-92 playoff victory over the Atlanta Hawks. While it is just one game to even the best-of-seven series with Atlanta to one win apiece, the manner in which the Knicks got the job done will give fans reason to believe they can continue to get the job done when the series reconvenes down south on Friday. Trailing 57-44 entering the third quarter, the Knicks desperately needed a spark after having endured a dizzying display of range and athleticism by Trae Young to close out the first half. Despite what was overall another poor 5-16 shooting night for Knicks leading man and the NBA’s Most Improved Player, Julius Randle, the Knicks forward opened the second half with a three pointer that breathed a sense of life in the team and the crowd. Wiping away an 0-6 start from the field by going 4-5 with 11 points in the third period, Randle helped lead the charge when it mattered most, providing what is hopefully a building block for him to finally find some momentum in the series. Another crucial maneuver made by Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau ahead of the second half was to insert veteran PG Derrick Rose into the starting rotation. Rose repaid his beloved coach by finding his former MVP-form deep within himself to post 26 points in total, leading the Knicks in their final charge to the W. With the game tied 91-91 with under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Rose scored the go-ahead basket sparking a 9-0 run that put Atlanta away for good. Reggie Bullock contributed four clutch three-pointers in the second half surge to guarantee at least one more game in front of a raucous MSG crowd. Many fans will be hoping that Rose’s definitive charge provides a legitimate option off of Elfrid Payton, who continues to struggle to contribute in the starting PG role. While it would be something of a surprise to see Thibodeau move off his plan when the series reopens on Friday night, it’s clear that the Knicks have their eggs firmly in D-Rose’s basket.
The Islanders were able to finish off the Pittsburgh Penguins in Uniondale Wednesday night with a decisive and thrilling 5-3 victory at Nassau Coliseum to win the series for New York, four games to two. The contest was back and forth from the get-go, as Jeff Carter grabbed his fourth goal of the series less than 90 seconds into the game, only to have the advantage erased five minutes later by Anthony Beauvillier’s third tally of the series. If you needed further proof that it would be all gas from the jump, both of these goals came on each team’s first shot on goal of the game. Immediately following the tying goal, the Islanders faithful jumped on the back of Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry, who’s struggles throughout the series gave fans the fuel they needed to rock the the old Coliseum one more time. The pace of play only kicked up from there as back and forth fast-breaks, but Pittsburgh simply couldn’t take advantage of out-shooting the Islanders just as they’d failed to do for much of the series. The Penguins were afforded a break when Evgeni Malkin levied what Scott Mayfield deemed a questionable hit on Matt Martin, causing the Isles defender to retaliate with a cross-check that sent Mayfield to the penalty box and the Pens on a power play. The veteran Penguins were able to take advantage of this momentary lack of composure when Jake Guentzel beat Ilya Sorokin to put Pittsburgh (momentarily) back in front. Sloppy passing and goaltending would quickly do the Penguins in, however, as Jean-Gabriel Pageau stole a brain-dead pass from Cody Ceci, fired it on net where Tristan Jarry was unable to control the rebound from ending up on the stick of Kyle Palmieri, and in turn, in the back of the net. The second period opened with Ceci making up for his mistake by finding Jason Zucker to give Pittsburgh their third and final lead, but it was not to be for the Penguins. With 8:35 gone in the second period, Brock Nelson found his second goal of the series to draw the Islanders even for a mere 13 seconds, after which Ryan Pulock sent The Barn into an absolute frenzy with his second goal of the series, and giving the Islanders a lead they’d never relinquish. Three minutes later, Nelson was back for an encore giving the Islanders a cushion they rode through the third period and onto Boston for the second round.