New York Knicks (1-0) vs. Boston Celtics (1-0)
Game Details: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 @ 7:00 pm EST
Location: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
Where to Watch: TNT/truTV/Max
The New York Knicks are coming into the TD Garden on Wednesday evening looking to go up 2-0 on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Knicks were able to erase a 20-point deficit in the third quarter and win Game 1 in overtime 108-105. The Celtics also broke the record for most missed threes in a playoff game and need to figure out how to avoid another miserable collapse like that. Let’s take a closer look at the Knicks vs. Celtics prediction to see how we should be betting.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total Runs | Money Line |
 | +10.5 (-110) | Over 210.5 (-110) | +380 |
 | -10.5 (-110) | Under 210.5 (-110) | -500 |
Apex Tale Of The Tape
| Team Stats (Playoffs) | |
| 108.0 | Points Per Game | 106.2 |
| 41.3 | Rebounds Per Game | 45.0 |
| 19.7 | Assists Per Game | 19.8 |
| 5.1 | Blocks Per Game | 4.8 |
| 9.0 | Steals Per Game | 7.3 |
| 44.6 | Field Goal Percentage | 44.6 |
| 38.1 | Three Point Percentage | 34.3 |
| 73.1 | Free Throw Percentage | 83.2 |
| 43.3 | Opp. Field Goal Percentage | 42.2 |
| 30.6 | Opp. Three Point Percentage | 30.1 |
| 21.4 | Fouls Per Game | 18.2 |
Projected Starting 5’s
| Position | |
| Jalen Brunson | PG | Jrue Holiday |
| Josh Hart | SG | Derrick White |
| Mikal Bridges | SF | Jaylen Brown |
| OG Anunoby | PF | Jayson Tatum |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | C | Kristaps Porzingis |
Key Stats
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks were able to dominate in the opening game of the series as they were able to secure a 108-105 overtime road win against the Boston Celtics. The team was able to shoot 37-of-87 (42.5%) from the floor, 17-for-37 (45.9%) from the 3-point line, and 17-for-31 (54.8%) from the free-throw line. Point guard Jalen Brunson played well as he finished with 29 points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals, and four turnovers in 44 minutes. Their defense stepped up as they held the Celtics to a 35.1/25.0/84.6 shooting split.
The Knicks are in a good spot after stealing the first game of the series and getting home-court advantage going forward. The team has to be prepared for the Celtics to foul center Mitchell Robinson, which came into effect and he has 3-for-10 from the charity stripe in Game 1. If the Knicks can defend as well as they did, allowing 44 points in the second half and overtime, they should go up 2-0 in the series before heading back to Madison Square Garden.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics could not finish Game 1 as they blew a massive lead and lost Game 1 at home in overtime 108-105. Boston was held to shooting 34-of-97 (35.1%) overall, 15-of-60 (25.0%) from beyond the arc, and 22-of-26 (84.6%) from the charity stripe. Power forward Jayson Tatum led the way for the team as in 44 minutes and recorded 23 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals, one block, and five turnovers. Their defense struggled as New York shot 42.5% from the field, 45.9% from distance, and 54.8% from the free-throw line.
The saying ‘you live by the three, you die by the three’ was never as true as it was for the Celtics in Game 1 as they were unable to get much to fall in the second half of the game. The team cannot afford to miss 45 3-point attempts in a playoff game if they are unable to hit throughout the second half. Boston showcased how they can dominate with a 61-45 halftime lead and need to focus on getting to the basket a bit more.
Betting Trends
| Betting Stats | |
| 2-1 | W/L Last 3 | 2-1 |
| 2-1 | ATS | 2-1 |
| 2-1 | O/U | 3-0 |
Prediction
The New York Knicks found momentum as they climbed back in the second half and that momentum should be able to keep this game close at the worst-case scenario for New York. Remember that the Celtics were able to play hack-a-Shaq with Mitchell Robinson because Karl Anthony-Towns was in early foul trouble. Boston’s 3-point shooting is going to be the difference but if a few miss early, they can get the feeling from Game 1. The Knicks have played well recently and pull off late-game situations to keep the game close. This is way too large of a number so take the points and go with New York to cover.
