The New York Knicks have a great opportunity on Friday night. With a win over the Boston Celtics, the Knicks would advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
The Knicks had the chance on Thursday night when they faced the Celtics in Boston, but Luke Kornet's otherworldly game prevented that.
But now, they'll have the opportunity to clinch the series in front of their home crowd at Madison Square Garden.
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1)
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1)
© Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Celtics' Joe Mazzulla makes Kristaps Porzingis announcement
The Celtics will look to keep their season alive without superstar forward Jayson Tatum after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in Game 4.
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White stepped up admirably in Game 5, but there are questions about whether they can keep up that level of play.
Former Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis has been battling an illness that has kept him out of action at various points in the season. Even now, Porzingis was forced to miss the second half of Game 5, as Mazzulla said Porzingis couldn't breathe at points.
But ahead of Game 5, he announced that Porzingis is available.
"He's playing tonight," Mazzulla said.
The Knicks are favored by 2.5 points ahead of Game 6, which suggests they'll take care of business tonight.
But if there's anything we know about Boston, it's that they won't go down easy.
The Knicks have history they'll have to beat as well. The Knicks have lost the last five playoff series-clinching games at home, while the Celtics have won their last five road games when facing elimination.
If the Knicks come out on top, they'll have a familiar foe waiting for them in the Conference Finals in the Indiana Pacers.