
Celtics vs Knicks Prediction 5/5/25 NBA Picks Today
NY Knicks (51-31) vs. Boston Celtics (61-21)
May 5, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Boston Celtics -9; Over/Under: 213
(Get latest betting odds)
The NY Knicks and Boston Celtics meet Monday in the NBA playoffs Game 1 at the TD Garden. Here’s a Celtics vs Knicks Prediction. This article will include a Celtics vs Knicks Pick.
NY Knicks Betting Preview
The NY Knicks are coming off a six game series with the Pistons and are in the second round for a third straight season. The Knicks have won four straight road games.
The NY Knicks are averaging 108 points on 45 percent shooting and allowing 106.7 points on 45 percent shooting. Jalen Brunson is averaging 31.5 points and 4 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 19.7 points and 1.7 assists. OG Anunoby is the third double-digit scorer, and Mikal Bridges is dishing 1.8 assists. The NY Knicks are shooting 36.5 percent from beyond the arc and 77.1 percent from the free-throw line. The NY Knicks are allowing 32.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40 rebounds per game.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics beat the Magic in five games and are in the fifth round for a fourth straight season. The Celtics have won seven straight home games.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 106.4 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 93.6 points on 42.2 percent shooting. Jayson Tatum is averaging 31.3 points and 11.3 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown is averaging 23 points and 2.4 assists. Derrick White is the third double-digit scorer and Kristaps Porzingis is grabbing 5.8 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and 82.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 26.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.2 rebounds per game.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won 20 of their last 21 games at TD Garden when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Knicks have lost each of their eight previous Eastern Conference Semifinals road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The favorites have covered the spread in four of the Knicks’ last five games at TD Garden.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The underdogs have won four of the Knicks’ last five playoff games.
- The Celtics have lost six of their last 12 Eastern Conference Semifinals games as favorites following a win.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in four of their last five playoff road games against the Celtics.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Derrick White ranks 7th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (3.5) this season.
- Kristaps Porzingis ranks 3rd amongst qualified Centers for three-pointers made Per Game (2.5) this season.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Miles McBride ranks 4th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.6) this season.
- Cameron Payne ranks 7th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (3.9) this season.
Celtics vs Knicks Injury Report
The Celtics don’t have a player listed on their injury report
The Knicks don’t have a player listed on their injury report.
Celtics vs Knicks Prediction
I hope for a competitive series, but this game indicates a comfortable win for the Celtics. The Knicks have lost eight of the last nine games against the Celtics, and they’re 6-2-1 ATS in those nine games. The Knicks are coming off a hard fought series and continue to play their staters into the ground, which isn’t ideal if hoping for an extended playoff run.
The Celtics are well rested and for the first time in these playoffs don’t have any players on their injury report. The Knicks are 2-9-1 ATS in their last 12 games when underdogs of seven or more points. The Celtics have had issues ATS this season, especially as big favorites, but they’re 6-2 ATS in their last eight games when favorites of seven or more points. I’ll lay the points with the Celtics in game 1.