Beasts of the east do battle in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs when the New York Knicks visit the Boston Celtics for tonight's Game 1 of their conference semifinal.
My Knicks vs. Celtics predictions expect well-rested Boston to run up the score, especially from the perimeter.
I explain further with my NBA picks for this 7:00 p.m. tip on TNT on Monday, May 5.
Who will win Knicks vs Celtics Game 1?
The Knicks face a different animal when comparing Detroit to Boston. The Celtics’ high-powered attack won all four meetings with New York this season and the Game 1 odds give Boston an implied win probability of 80%. Favorites of nine points or higher are 9-0 SU this postseason and 20-2 SU over the past two playoffs.
The Celtics take Game 1.
Knicks vs Celtics prediction
My best bet: Celtics team total Over 111.5 points (-115 at bet365)
The Boston Celtics were able to dispatch Orlando in just five games in the first round of the tournament, but it wasn’t as easy as it looked. The Magic did a great job taking away the Celtics’ greatest weapon: 3-point shooting.
For the series, the C’s made less than 12 triples per game on 31% shooting from beyond the arc. That’s a significant swing from Boston’s regular season rate of 17.8 makes on 37% success.
The New York Knicks don’t protect the perimeter as well as Orlando and were torched by 3-pointers in its run-ins with Boston this season. The Celtics averaged 21 triples over their four meetings (all Celtics wins) while hitting at a 43.5% clip.
Of course, the Knicks will be focusing their defensive energy on getting heels above the arc, but Boston is a deep and versatile team that will not only get its looks from long range, but exploit any overcompensation from New York’s defense.
The Celtics are a massive step up from a Detroit offense. The Pistons managed just over 10 3-pointers per playoff game on 31% shooting and couldn’t throw a grape in the ocean at times in the Round 1 series. The Celtics just don’t have those scoring droughts.
Not only will 3-point volume be in favor of the Celtics, but the pace of play in this series will be much quicker. Boston-Orlando was the slowest first round series, in terms of pace rating, with a collective metric of 90.4.
The Knicks had their best results in Round 1 when turning up the tempo against Detroit and thrive on scoring in transition. New York isn’t as dangerous as the Celtics in terms of 3-point potential, so it will need to be efficient on offense and turn out more possessions.
The extended break in action will also allow the Celtics to get back to full strength for Game 1. Jayson Tatum battled through a wrist injury and Jrue Holliday missed the final three games with Orlando due to a hamstring ailment. He was back to full practice and is trending toward playing.
Knicks vs Celtics same-game parlay
Celtics team total Over 111.5 points
Kristaps Porzingis 7+ rebounds
Derrick White 5+ assists
The Celtics will get more space on the outside and throw plenty of firepower at a New York defense with glaring holes.
Kristaps Porzingis is a nightmare matchup and will hit the glass for seven or more boards, including some offensive rebounds.
Derrick White’s projections hover around five assists, and he averaged six dimes in the matchups with the Knicks in the regular season.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Knicks vs Celtics odds
Knicks vs Celtics live odds
Knicks vs Celtics opening odds
- Spread: New York +8.5 | Boston -8.5
- Moneyline: New York +295 | Boston -350
- Over/Under: Over 213 | Under 213
Odds courtesy of bet365
Knicks vs Celtics spread and Over/Under analysis
• Bookies opened Boston as a 8.5-point home favorite for Game 1 and early action has added a half a point to the spread, pumping it up to Celtics -9.
• The Over/Under hit the board at 213 points. These teams finished 3-1 O/U in their four regular season meetings.
• According to Covers Consensus, 57% of picks are laying the lumber with the big home favorite while 69% of total picks are siding with the Over.
Knicks vs Celtics trend
The Celtics have gone 12-5 Over/Under (71% Overs) in 17 playoff games when installed as home favorites of -9 or higher since 2022. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Celtics.
How to watch Knicks vs Celtics
| Location | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date | Monday, 5-5-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
Knicks vs Celtics latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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