Knicks vs. Celtics Picks and Prediction – 5/14/2025

New York Knicks (3-1) vs. Boston Celtics (1-3)
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
TV: TNT, truTV, Max

Previous Games:

  • Knicks: Won 121-113 in Game 4 after trailing by 14 in the second half

  • Celtics: Struggled in the second half and got dominated on the boards (43-31 rebounding deficit)

Head-to-Head:

New York holds a surprising 3-1 series lead despite entering as the underdog. The Knicks have now won five straight road playoff games, showing composure and grit in hostile environments. Boston won 9 of the previous 13 matchups before this series but hasn’t had an answer for Brunson or the Knicks' rebounding edge.

New York Knicks Breakdown:

New York is thriving behind Jalen Brunson, who is averaging over 30 points in the playoffs and dropped 39 points with 12 assists in Game 4. The Knicks are outrebounding opponents and thriving defensively, ranking 4th in playoff defensive efficiency. Their ability to slow the pace and force Boston into half-court sets has been key.

Key Players:

  • Jalen Brunson: 30.1 PPG, 8.0 APG, 36.7% from three

  • Karl-Anthony Towns: 11.6 RPG, giving the Knicks a big edge on the glass

  • OG Anunoby & Mikal Bridges: Combine for 43+ PPG in Game 4

Boston Celtics Breakdown:

The Celtics are on the brink of elimination and now likely without Jayson Tatum (foot injury), who had 42 points in Game 4. His absence puts tremendous pressure on Derrick White and Jaylen Brown to carry the load. Boston ranks 2nd in defensive efficiency but plays at a slow tempo, which limits offensive explosiveness—especially without their star.

Key Players:

  • Derrick White: 23 points in Game 4, hitting 6-of-11 from three

  • Jaylen Brown: 20.3 PPG in the series

  • Tatum (out): Team-high 22.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG

Betting Trends:

New York Knicks:

  • 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games

  • 7-3 SU in last 10

  • Rebounding edge +2.5 vs opponents this postseason

Boston Celtics:

  • 7-2 SU in last 9 at home

  • 1-5 ATS in last 6 games in May

  • Playoffs: 104.8 PPG, allowing just 96.7—but Tatum is a major scoring void

Exact Score Prediction:

New York Knicks 100 – Boston Celtics 104

Our Best Bet:

New York Knicks +4.5 (-110)

With Jayson Tatum expected to miss this do-or-die Game 5 and the Knicks boasting the better momentum, rebounding, and clutch performance late in games, taking the points with New York is the strongest angle. Even if Boston pulls off a gutsy win at home, the Knicks are well-positioned to cover and possibly close out the series outright.

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