Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks May 14th 2025

At 7:00 ET, the Knicks (+153) will take on the Celtics (-181) in a divisional matchup. The over/under line for this game is 208.

Boston (-4.5) is currently 61-21 and 2nd in the Eastern Conference. New York (+4.5) is 51-31 and 3rd in the East. TNT will televise this game from TD Garden in Boston.

Knicks vs. Celtics Key Information

Sport: NBA
Teams: New York Knicks at Boston Celtics
Where: Boston at TD Garden
Date: Wednesday, May 14th
Betting Odds BOS -4.5, NY +153 | BOS -181 O/U 208

The Knicks Can Win If…

New York improved to 51-31 on the season with a 121-113 win over the Celtics on Monday. The Knicks were +5.5 underdogs but not only won straight up, they covered the spread. The game’s total of 234 points exceeded the O/U line of 208.5 by 25.5 points.

New York went on an 11-0 run early, turning a 16-9 deficit into a 20-16 lead. After a 23-23 2nd quarter, the Knicks took control by outscoring Boston 37-23 in the 3rd. They entered the 4th with an 88-85 lead and finished strong, outscoring the Celtics 33-28 in the final period.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks to victory over the Celtics with 39 points and 12 assists, shooting 56% from the field and hitting 4 threes at a 50% clip. He scored 18 points in the 3rd quarter alone. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each added 23 points, with Towns shooting 73.3% and grabbing 11 rebounds.

The Knicks shot 54.3% as a team, making 12 threes at 35.3%. Bridges scored 10 points in the 4th quarter, while OG Anunoby added 9 of his 20 points in the final period.

Despite giving up 39 points in the 1st quarter, the Knicks tightened up defensively in the 2nd and 3rd, allowing just 23 points in each. They gave up 28 in the 4th but still managed to secure the win over the Celtics.

Overall, the Knicks allowed Boston to shoot 48% from the field, including 37% from three, where the Celtics hit 18 threes. The Knicks sent the Celtics to the line 26 times, where they made 19 free throws. Defensively, the Knicks grabbed 30 rebounds, gave up 7 offensive boards, and recorded 5 steals and 2 blocks.

When looking at their past five road matchups, New York has an ATS record of 5-0 while averaging 105 per game. The team went 5-0 overall in these games.
Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, New York has an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 6-4 straight up.
Over their last three games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Celtics Can Win If…

The Celtics fell to 61-21 on the season after a 121-113 loss to the Knicks on Monday. Boston, who were -5.5 point favorites, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total score of 234 points exceeded the O/U line of 208.5 by 25.5 points.

Boston started strong, leading 39-28 after the 1st quarter, but the Knicks went on an 11-0 run early to shift momentum. The Celtics couldn’t recover, as they were outscored 37-23 in the 3rd quarter and 33-28 in the 4th.

Jayson Tatum’s 42-point performance, including 7 threes at 43.8%, led the Celtics in their 121-113 loss to the Knicks. Tatum shot 57.1% from the field, adding 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Derrick White contributed 23 points, hitting 6 threes at 54.5%, while Jaylen Brown added 20 points, though he struggled from deep, making just 2 of 8 attempts.

The Celtics connected on 18 threes, shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc and 48.1% overall. Tatum and White combined for 29 points in the 1st quarter, with Tatum adding 11 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters. Payton Pritchard scored 7 of his 12 points in the final period.

Defensively, the Celtics had a strong 2nd quarter but struggled in the 3rd and 4th, giving up 37 and 33 points, respectively, in a 121-113 loss to the Knicks. Boston allowed New York to shoot 54% from the field.

Boston did well in limiting the Knicks’ three-point shooting, allowing just 12 made threes on 35% shooting. The Celtics also sent New York to the line 12 times, where they made 9 free throws. Boston finished with 8 steals and 2 blocks.

Across their ten previous home games, Boston has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 7-3 while averaging 110 points per game.
As the betting favorite, the Celtics have an ATS mark of just 2-3 in their last five games. Boston posted a straight up mark of 2-3 in these matchups.
In their last three games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 1-1-1 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

As the underdogs with a spread of +4.5, we recommend going with the Knicks on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 208 and given that our model is projecting 241 points between the teams, we like the over.

Without Jayson Tatum, Celtics Vow to ‘Leave It All Out There’ in Critical Game 5 vs. Knicks

The Boston Celtics find themselves on the edge of playoff elimination, and for the first time in years, they’ll face this adversity without their cornerstone star—Jayson Tatum. As they prepare for Game 5 against the New York Knicks at TD Garden, Boston is rallying around a simple mantra: “Leave it all out there.”

Tatum’s Injury: A Devastating Blow to Boston’s Title Hopes

Jayson Tatum, 27, suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon in the final minutes of the Celtics’ 121-113 loss in Game 4. He underwent surgery the following day, effectively ending his season and potentially sidelining him for the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign.

Despite the setback, the Celtics reported a successful surgery, though uncertainty looms over Tatum’s recovery timeline. He had been stellar in Game 4 with 42 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks before collapsing with just under three minutes to go.

Jaylen Brown: “We’ve Got Enough in the Locker Room”

In the face of this crisis, Jaylen Brown stepped up as a vocal leader:

“Get ready for the next one,” Brown said. “Get ready to fight. Get ready to come out on our home floor and do what we need to do. We’ve got enough in the locker room.”

The Celtics will need every bit of that belief. Trailing 3-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, they must now win three straight games without their top scorer. Check The Latest NBA Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Handicappers

Boston’s Resilience Without Tatum

Surprisingly, the Celtics hold a 9-2 record in games played without Tatum this season, including a key first-round win over Orlando. While his absence was previously due to minor injuries like a wrist strain, the team has proven its ability to adapt.

Kristaps Porzingis emphasized the need for emotional focus:

“He doesn’t want us to be sad and not playing our best basketball. So we’re going to go out there and leave it all out there and live with the results.”

Knicks Eyeing First Eastern Finals in 25 Years

For the New York Knicks, Game 5 represents more than a chance to close out a series—it’s a chance to make history. A win would mark their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000.

Jalen Brunson has been electric this postseason, averaging 30.2 points in 34 playoff games with the Knicks. His 39-point, 12-assist performance in Game 4 turned a 14-point deficit into a commanding win.

“We have a great opportunity,” Brunson said. “We’re playing a really good team, and I don’t think we’re playing our best basketball yet.”

Karl-Anthony Towns: Quiet Dominance

Center Karl-Anthony Towns has emerged as a consistent force. He’s recorded six straight double-doubles, averaging 19.8 points and 14.0 rebounds during the Boston series. Towns offered praise for the Celtics:

“That team is special. They’re defending champions. It takes a whole team to beat them.”

TD Garden: Boston’s Fortress or New York’s Pathway?

The Knicks are 5-0 on the road this postseason and have already won twice in Boston during this series. Still, TD Garden will be buzzing with energy and desperation—a tough environment for any visiting team.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla faces a dual challenge:

Navigating Tatum’s absence strategically.
Uplifting the team mentally and emotionally.

“We’re concerned about his health,” Mazzulla said. “And then we’re concerned about what we have to do better for Game 5.”

Conclusion: All or Nothing for Boston

With their backs against the wall and their star player sidelined, the Boston Celtics must tap into their team culture and home-court pride to survive. Meanwhile, the Knicks smell blood and a rare shot at the Eastern Conference Finals. Whether it’s heart or history that prevails, Game 5 is set to be unforgettable.

Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions May 14th 2025