NBA Eastern Conference Semifinal Playoff Game 5 Preview: New York Knicks (3-1) vs. Boston Celtics (1-3)

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Game Details

  • Matchup: New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics
  • Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • Time: 7:00 PM ET
  • Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Broadcast: TNT, streaming on MAX

Series Overview

The Knicks hold a 3-1 series lead over the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, putting them one win away from their first conference finals appearance since 2000. The Celtics, the defending champions, face elimination and must rally without their star player, Jayson Tatum, who suffered a ruptured Achilles in Game 4.

Team Performance & Key Players

New York Knicks

  • Record: 51-31 (Regular Season)
  • Playoff Performance: The Knicks have been dominant, winning three of the first four games in the series.
  • Key Players:
  • Jalen Brunson – The Knicks’ floor general has been clutch, scoring 39 points in Game 4.
  • Karl-Anthony Towns – A force in the paint, contributing both offensively and defensively.
  • Mikal Bridges & OG Anunoby – Both have stepped up, making key plays in crucial moments.

Boston Celtics

  • Record: 61-21 (Regular Season)
  • Playoff Performance: The Celtics won Game 3 convincingly but struggled in the other matchups.
  • Key Players:
  • Jaylen Brown – With Tatum out, Brown must take on a bigger scoring role.
  • Kristaps Porzingis – Needs to step up offensively to compensate for Tatum’s absence.
  • Derrick White & Jrue Holiday – Their defensive presence will be crucial in slowing down Brunson.

Game 5 Storylines

  1. Can the Knicks Close It Out? – Historically, teams with a 3-1 lead in the NBA playoffs win the series 95.6% of the time. The Knicks have a golden opportunity to eliminate the Celtics on their home court.
  2. Celtics Without Tatum – Losing their leading scorer (28.1 PPG) and rebounder (11.5 RPG) is a massive blow. Can Boston rally around their remaining stars?
  3. Betting Odds & Predictions – The Celtics are 4.5-point favorites, despite missing Tatum. The Knicks have covered the spread in three of four games this series.
  4. Defensive Adjustments – Expect Boston to tighten up defensively, while New York will look to exploit mismatches.

Game Odds

New York Knicks               208

Boston Celtics                   – 4.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, May 13, 2025