NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Christopher Morales came all the way from the Philippines, hoping to watch the New York Knicks in the playoffs.
The cost of a ticket into Madison Square Garden changed that plan. Luckily, there's a rocking way to catch the action that may not be near the celebrities sitting courtside, but it's also nowhere near courtside prices.
The free block party zone outside the arena swells with fans hours before the games, and serves as a launching point from where supporters can gather afterward if the Knicks win and start a celebration that can span several city blocks.
And what a party it would be if the Knicks could finish off the Boston Celtics on Friday night in Game 6, which would send them to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.
The success the Knicks are enjoying after so many bad years has energized longtime fans and brought many new ones like Morales, who arrived in New York on the day of their victory in Game 4 of the series on Monday.
鈥淚 always watch on the television,鈥� he said, 鈥渟o that鈥檚 why I (came), just to watch the game.鈥�
He was watching on one of the giant viewing screens located between 33rd and 34th St. The plaza opened two hours before the game to serve as a sort of pep rally, with prize giveaways and appearances by former players. The game telecast was to begin a half hour before.
Many fans wore blue-and-orange Knicks jerseys, some bearing the names of John Starks and Latrell Sprewell, players from the beloved 1990s era when the Knicks were annual threats to contend for Eastern Conference championships. The No. 11 of Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' current superstar, appeared to be the most popular choice.
There were even some Celtics ones sprinkled in. One fan wearing Jayson Tatum's No. 0 was playfully stopped by a Knicks fan who asked the people around him if the man could stay.
鈥淚s he good?鈥� the fan asked.
The nearby fans indicated that he was OK 鈥� then booed him as he walked by.
Ticket prices have soared past $600 apiece on some sites just to get into MSG. Brunson, as the team captain, might have the clout to help, but don't bother trying.
鈥淢y friends know not to ask,鈥� he said earlier in the series.
Morales quickly got over any disappointment he had of not getting into the arena. The 鈥淟et's Go Knicks! Let's Go Knicks!鈥� chants that were already ringing out long before tipoff indicated it was going to be plenty fun right where he was.
鈥淭his is my first time experiencing a block party here in New York,鈥� he said.
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AP NBA:
Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press
