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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Andy Nesbitt

NBA Fans Loved Why Charles Barkley and Shaq Think Game 3 Is a Must-Win for Knicks

Charles Barkley Shaquille O’Neal Knicks NBA Game 3 Chuck
Charles Barkley has been in this situation before. | @TNT

The New York Knicks rallied back once again to stun the Boston Celtics, 91-90, in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Wednesday night. They now have a 2-0 lead in the series as it shifts to Madison Square Garden and while they are shockingly in control of the defending champs, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley think the next game is a must-win for Tom Thibodeau's team.

And lots of fans agreed with them.

After winning the first two games in Boston, the Knicks can put the Celtics in an even bigger hole with a win on Saturday.

"Now for the Knicks, don't get comfortable," Shaq said on Inside the NBA. "It's a must-win for Boston but it's also a must-win for the Knicks. If you want to put serious pressure on the champs, Game 3 is a must for the Knicks."

Barkley agreed with Shaq because he was in that situation twice in his playing career and he knows how different a 3-0 hole can feel than a 2-1 hole.

"This gonna sound stupid," Barkley said. "Game 3 is a must-win for the Knicks because Boston has a better team but being in that situation twice, you've gotta win that third game."

Here's that discussion.

Lots of fans agreed with them:

Here's one certainty going forward: Game 3 (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET) at MSG is going to be electric.

More NBA on Sports Illustrated


This article was originally published on www.si.com as NBA Fans Loved Why Charles Barkley and Shaq Think Game 3 Is a Must-Win for Knicks .

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