A classic rivalry reignites on Monday night as the No. 4 seed New York Knicks go to war with the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the NBA playoffs. Boston and New York meet in the playoffs for the 17th time in this second round series, with Jalen Brunson and the Knicks looking to spoil Jayson Tatum's party.
Look for my expert prediction, with Boston a clear favorite in the Knicks vs Celtics odds:
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Series Winner Odds
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| New York Knicks | +590 |
| Boston Celtics | -850 |
Odds as of May 5th at Sportsbook
The reigning, defending champion odds.
Celtics defensive stalwart Jrue Holiday missed the final three games of their first-round series with a right hamstring strain, but is day-to-day and will likely return at some point in the second round. Holiday would likely be the man tasked with containing Brunson, but even if he misses time, Boston can throw either Jaylen Brown or Derek White on him on the perimeter. Despite a few bumps in the road this season, this Celtics squad has very few weaknesses. New York will need to shoot the lights out to win.
Knicks vs Celtics Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Mon. May 5, 2025 | 7 p.m. | TD Garden |
| Game 2 | Wed. May 7, 2025 | 7pm | TD Garden |
| Game 3 | Sat. May 10, 2025 | 7pm | Madison Square Garden |
| Game 4 | Mon. May 12, 2025 | 7pm | Madison Square Garden |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | Wed. May 14, 2025 | TBD | TD Garden |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | Fri. May 16, 2025 | TBD | Madison Square Garden |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | Mon. May 19, 2025 | TBD | TD Garden |
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics 2024-25 Spread and Total Betting History
| Date | Spread & Score Result | Total Points & Result |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 22, 2024 | New York 109 @ Boston 132 (-6) Celtics Cover | O/U 221.5 (OVER) |
| Feb 8, 2025 | Boston 131 @ New York 104 (+3) Celtics Cover | O/U 230.5 (OVER) |
| Feb 23, 2025 | New York 105 @ Boston 118 (-7.5) Celtics Cover | O/U 231.5 (UNDER) |
| Apr 8, 2025 | Boston 119 @ New York 117 (+2.5) Knicks Cover | O/U 224.5 (OVER) |
Boston swept the season series against New York this year, and went 3-1 ATS. Tom Thibodeau's squad has struggled against Joe Mazzulla's Celtics of late going just 2-8 SU and 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
Four of the past five Knicks vs Celtics games have gone OVER the total. But, it's important to note, sportsbooks refine their totals algorithm for the NBA playoffs to for the slower paced half-court game.
Knicks Player to Watch: Jalen Brunson
Can the Knicks diminutive superstar continue his otherworldly playoff production? That question will define this series as Brunson goes head-to-head with the star-laden Celtics. Brunson averaged an outstanding 31.5 points to go along with 8.2 assists per game in the first round against the Pistons. But, equaling those numbers against Boston will be a tall task.
Additionally, the Knicks success in this series will largely be defined by Brunson's defensive capabilities. The Celtics will look to involve both Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns in their offensive actions as they chase favorable matchups. Boston put Brunson in 31 ball-screen actions in the regular season, so expect to see Mazzulla's men ruthlessly target the point guard once again.
Celtics Player to Watch: Jayson Tatum
Despite his ailing wrist, Tatum was outstanding in the first round, averaging 31.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5 assists in the four games in which he played.
Tatum's put up a stellar 30.5 points per game, on 50% shooting from the field, and 39% from three-point land in his last 10 games versus the Knicks. While the Knicks have a cadre of defenders to throw at him, Tatum has been almost unstoppable against Thibodeau's defensive schemes. If New York can't find a way to at least slow him down, this Knicks vs Celtics series will be over quickly.
Knicks vs Celtics Series Expert Prediction: Boston to Win Series 4-1 +210
Ultimately, the Celtics hit a massive 39 more three-point shots then the Knicks in the regular season. For all their glowing two-way versatility, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby are average three-point shooters, and Boston employs a team full of snipers. That will make all the difference in this series, as the Celtics aim to advance to their fourth straight Eastern Conference Finals.
Boston has the depth to limit Brunson and Towns, and force the rest of the Knicks to beat them. New York will give them a run for their money, but Boston will come out on top in this second-round series.
