The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks are set to face off in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Monday, May 5, at 7:00 PM ET at TD Garden in Boston. This matchup reignites a historic rivalry between two of the NBA’s most storied franchises, with Boston entering as the defending champions and New York looking to pull off an upset.
Team Overview & Season Performance
Boston Celtics (61-21)
- Regular Season Record: 61 wins, 21 losses
- Playoff Performance: Defeated Orlando Magic in five games in the first round
- Key Players:
- Jayson Tatum (31.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG in Round 1)
- Jaylen Brown (24.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG)
- Kristaps Porzingis (18.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG)
- Derrick White (30 points in Game 1 vs. Orlando)
- Jrue Holiday (questionable with hamstring injury)
New York Knicks (51-31)
- Regular Season Record: 51 wins, 31 losses
- Playoff Performance: Eliminated Detroit Pistons in six games
- Key Players:
- Jalen Brunson (31.5 PPG, 8.2 APG in Round 1)
- Karl-Anthony Towns (22.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG)
- Mikal Bridges (16.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG)
- OG Anunoby (defensive anchor)
- Mitchell Robinson (expected to play key minutes)
Head-to-Head Matchup
- Season Series: Boston swept New York 4-0, outscoring them by an average of 125-109.
- Defensive Battle: Boston’s elite defense, anchored by Holiday and White, will look to contain Brunson and Towns.
- Three-Point Shooting: Boston thrives on perimeter shooting, averaging 16.3 made threes per game against New York this season.
Key Storylines
- Boston’s Dominance Over New York – The Celtics swept the Knicks in the regular season, winning all four matchups by double digits.
- Jalen Brunson vs. Jayson Tatum – Two of the league’s premier scorers will go head-to-head in a battle of offensive firepower.
- Karl-Anthony Towns’ Defensive Struggles – Boston exposed Towns defensively in the regular season, forcing him into tough matchups.
- Injury Concerns for Boston – Jrue Holiday’s hamstring injury could impact Boston’s defensive rotations.
Game Odds
New York Knicks 213
Boston Celtics – 9
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, May 4, 2025
