I’d say the underlying theme that i am seeing is that your first opponent does matter. For example OKC played a weak Memphis team and when playing Denver game 1 they got surprised. Us playing the magic probably doesn’t hold up as well as compared to the knicks playing the pistons. Sure the pistons haven’t been in the playoffs for a while but damn the team was physical. And that physicality has hardened the knicks who are bringing it to the Celtics. I don’t see this Celtics team as being a physical team surely not in the 4th and that’s ultimately the reason why the knicks are up 2-0 right now.

OKC woke up in game 2 and were very physical from what I witnessed don’t just look at the score look how Denver’s Gordon and Joker got pushed around and beat up and fouled out in the third. Denver subreddit is literally whining about non-calls. Now the question remains are we going to be physical in game 3? because if not I’m feeling it’s going to be 0-3. It’s physicality I really don’t see it being anything else. The refs are letting it happen and it’s playoff basketball.

Need more proof of this ? Minnesota and golden state. Easily game one golden state was way more physical than Minnesota and got the job done. While Minnesota walked on the lakers who weren’t nearly as physical falling apart at the seams in the 4th in a must win game.