Down 0-2, Celtics vow to do better at home

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Boston Celtics are raring to go home and win Game 3 in front of their fans in their first round series against the New York Knicks after the tragedy that happened in the Marathon bombing.

Down 0-2 in their best-of-seven series against old-time rival from New York, they are itching to come back strong and hope that the extra push from the fans will help regain their confidence.

"The emotion is going to be high. Obviously, we haven't been back home since all of the current events have happened so I'm looking forward to going home and getting some of that home love. Boston, here we come," said Celtics superstar Kevin Garnett.

The Celtics have not played in the TD Garden since the brutal Boston Marathon bombing last April 15, 2013, shocking the world that resulted into the cancellation of their last regular season home game against the Indiana Pacers.

Athletic guard Avery Bradley, All-Star Rajon Rondo replacement at the backcourt, the Celtics are optimistic of their chances against the highly confident Knicks squad.

"I think it would be good for us. Everybody in Boston is pretty much a Celtics fan. I mean, we already want to win every game but even more now. We definitely want to win for those families, the people that were injured and for the people that passed away," Bradley said.

"It will be big for us to be back home. But, after these two losses, we feel like it's payback time. You know, everybody is mad in here and we cannot wait until the next game," He added.

For his part, Celtics coach Doc Rivers is trying to instill some sense of urgency in the predicament his squad has put themselves come across, with the odds against their favor.

"We are going back to Boston. I guess they say 'The series hasn't started until you win on the road,' like I haven't heard line that a million times.  Well I am positive the series has started because we are down 2-0," said Rivers.

For their city and especially their playoff hopes, the Boston Celtics will surely do everything to get back in series and avoid an almost insurmountable 0-3 deficit in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Game 3 will be at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning (Manila time).