Knicks vs. Celtics Prediction and Odds: Boston Looks to Continue Their Dominance

The NBA’s second round continues Monday night as the Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks. Expect a high-scoring affair led by star men Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brunson! For new users at FanDuel Sportsbook, you can bet $5 and receive $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins!

For the best NBA game previews, WSN has you covered with betting picks and tips every day throughout the 2024-25 NBA season! New sports bettors supporting their hometown Boston Celtics can take advantage of the top Massachusetts sportsbook promos and bonuses before their matchup against the New York Knicks tips off!

The New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics tip off the NBA’s Monday night schedule, reigniting one of the NBA’s most historic rivalries! Jalen Brunson leads his Knicks on Monday night after a hard-fought first-round victory over the Pistons. While the Boston Celtics, behind the high-scoring play of Jayson Tatum, aim to continue their dominance over the Knicks after a regular-season sweep of their Atlantic Division rivals–Game 1 tips off at 7:00 PM EST at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

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New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Betting Odds

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New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Betting Pick

• My Pick: Spread - Boston Celtics -9.0 (-110) at FanDuel

The Boston Celtics are set for one of the most intense games of the playoffs as they reignite a historical rivalry against the New York Knicks. Despite the Knicks’ first-round success, the Celtics have been big winners, covering a nine-point spread in each of their wins against the Magic. They also defeated the Knicks four times during the regular season, and by double-digits in three games. Expect a back-and-forth affair, but for Boston’s quality and depth to show through in Game 1.

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New York Knicks Preview

Despite the seeding difference in their first-round matchup, the New York Knicks came out on top of a surprisingly gritty series against the Detroit Pistons. They’ll try to avenge a regular season sweep when they take on the Boston Celtics on Monday night behind their high-scoring duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Knicks and Pistons put on one of the most competitive series of the first round. New York scored 108.0 points per game on 45.0% from the field and 36.5% from three, averaging a +1.3 points differential. The Knicks can’t afford to take their foot off the gas pedal against the Celtics, especially after they were outscored by 16.2 points in four regular season meetings.

The Knicks were inconsistent against the spread this season, posting a 44-43-1 ATS Record, 11th in the NBA. They have a 50.6% cover percentage, a +3.9 margin of victory, and a -0.8 ATS +/- this season. In their six-game series against Detroit, the Knicks covered the spread four times, hit over the total three times, and won outright four times.

Leading the way for the Knicks through the first round was All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson. Through six games, Brunson averaged 31.5 points, 8.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.5 threes per game on 43.6% from the field and 33.3% from three. He was brilliant in their closeout game against Detroit, putting up 40 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and three made threes on 45.5% shooting.

The New York Knicks have no injuries at the moment.

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Boston Celtics Preview

The Boston Celtics cruised to the second round without much opposition. The New York Knicks present a new challenge for them despite dominating them through four regular-season games. With a reportedly healthy lineup, the Celtics look primed for another strong performance this round.

The Celtics dominated their first-round series against Orlando, winning in five games. They won by a +12.8 point differential, averaging 106.4 points per game on 46.9% from the field and 37.8% from three. They’ll try to maintain their success against the Knicks, notably trying to improve their three-point shooting, which was limited to 11.8 per game compared to their 12.9 three-point average during the regular season.

Boston’s high expectations had them struggling against the spread this season, posting a 41-45-1 ATS Record, 19th in the NBA. They have a 47.7% cover percentage, a +9.3 margin of victory, and a -0.1 ATS +/- this season. In their five-game win over the Magic, Boston covered the spread three times, hit over the total three times, and won outright four times.

Despite missing one game in the first round, Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics. In four games, he averaged 31.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 4.0 threes per game on 44.7% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. His best performance came in a Game 4 win, putting up 37 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists on 62.5% shooting.

The Boston Celtics have no injuries at the moment.

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How to Watch New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics

• Teams: New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics

• Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA

• Date: 7:00 PM, Monday, May 5, 2025

• TV:  TNT, truTV, Max