CJ McCollum is using the boos as fuel.
They mean he’s doing a lot right.
Monday night, the veteran guard heard plenty of them as he shot the Hawks past the Knicks 107-106 at the Garden to even this best-of-seven opening-round series at one game apiece.
“I am no villain. I’m a nice guy with two kids and a wife,” he said after pouring in 32 points, including the game-winning jumper with 33 seconds left. “I think it’s admiration. Great, passionate fans in a really hostile environment. It’s fun. It’s basketball. It’s the playoffs.
“If anything, I think it’s a sign of respect.”
The Knicks have yet to find an answer for the 34-year-old McCollum.
In two games, he has 59 points and is shooting a robust 54.7 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from 3-point range. He had seven of his 32 in the fourth quarter Monday, getting the better of Knicks star Jalen Brunson.
Even before McCollum began torching the Knicks, he drew the ire of the Garden.
He was given a technical for kicking Brunson in the midsection while taking a jump shot (he was also called for a travel on the play). Brunson stayed down in pain for a few moments. Afterward, McCollum suggested Brunson was acting.
The animosity has only grown since.
“I love it. I love it. It’s why we play the game,” McCollum said. “It’s fun being in opposing arenas when the buzzer sounds and it’s quiet and you walk off the court. I think there’s a level of mutual respect. It was a tough game against a good team on their home floor, and they’re supposed to be passionate. I think they did a great job of showing up consistently throughout the year.
“I’ve been to games in the Garden as a fan and watched. I’ve seen playoff games here. It’s a pleasure to be able to play here and it’s a pleasure to be able to walk off the court with a win.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
