BOSTON — This was another Knicks team that had rousted the imagination of its fans, another one tasked with a difficult ask. They, too, had lessened expectations toward the end of the regular season, somehow blowing a five-game lead over the Celtics and surrendering the Atlantic Division and a higher seed.

So they had to survive — tell me if this sounds familiar — a harrowing war with the Detroit Pistons in the first round. That one went the limit, which in 1992 was five games. The Knicks prevailed in Game 5. It was the last playoff game that didn’t sell out Madison Square Garden all the way up to present day.

Their reward:

(And tell me if this sounds familiar …)