Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Betting Pick & Prediction 5/16/25
At 8:00 ET, the Knicks (-141) will host the Celtics (+120) in a divisional matchup. New York is favored by 2.5 points, and the over/under is set at 210.
This game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Knicks are currently 3rd in the Eastern Conference with a record of 51-31. The Celtics are 2nd in the East at 61-21.
BOSTON CELTICS VS NEW YORK KNICKS BETTING PICK
The Pick: New York Knicks -2.5
This game will be played at Madison Square Garden at 8:00 ET on Friday, May 16th.
WHY BET THE NEW YORK KNICKS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 128-111 in favor of the Knicks.
- Our projections have Jalen Brunson finishing with 27 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists.
- From the field, we have the Knicks finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.1% and knocking down 14 threes.
Does Boston Have a Shot at a Road Win?
Boston improved to 61-21 with a dominant 127-102 win over the Knicks on Wednesday. Playing at home, the Celtics were favored by 5 points and covered the spread, while the game’s total of 229 points went well over the 208-point line.
After trailing 32-30 in the 1st quarter, Boston edged ahead 29-27 in the 2nd. An 11-0 run helped them pull away, and they outscored the Knicks 32-17 in the 3rd. The Celtics closed out the game with a 36-26 advantage in the 4th quarter.
Derrick White’s 34 points, including 7 threes at 53.8%, led the Celtics to a 127-102 win over the Knicks, with Boston hitting 22 threes at 44.9% and shooting 52.4% overall. White scored 14 points in the 1st quarter and added 13 more in the 3rd.
Jaylen Brown contributed 26 points and 12 assists, scoring 12 points in the 2nd quarter. Payton Pritchard and Jrue Holiday each added 8 points in the 4th quarter, with Pritchard finishing with 5 made threes.
Despite a rough start, the Celtics’ defense tightened up in the 3rd quarter, allowing just 17 points to help secure a 127-102 win over the Knicks. Boston held New York to 35% shooting overall.
The Celtics gave up 12 threes on 40% shooting from deep and sent the Knicks to the line 40 times, where they hit 32 free throws. Boston finished with 32 defensive rebounds, 3 steals, and 12 blocks.
Will the Knicks Secure A Victory as Home Favorites?
The Knicks fell to 51-31 on the season after a 127-102 road loss to the Celtics on Wednesday. New York entered the game as +5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread, losing by 25. The total points for the game reached 229, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 208 by 21 points.
New York started strong, leading 32-30 after the 1st quarter, but Boston took control with an 11-0 run, stretching the score from 71-68 to 82-68. The Celtics outscored the Knicks 32-17 in the 3rd quarter and 36-26 in the 4th.
In their 127-102 loss to the Celtics, the Knicks shot just 35.8% from the field. They connected on 12 threes, hitting 40% from deep. Josh Hart led the way with 24 points, making 5 threes at a 55.6% clip, and added 7 rebounds.
Jalen Brunson contributed 22 points and 6 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and 8 rebounds. Hart scored 9 points in the 3rd quarter, and Towns matched that in the 4th.
The Knicks struggled defensively against the Celtics, giving up 127 points while allowing Boston to shoot 52% from the field. New York allowed at least 29 points in each quarter, including 36 in the 4th.
Boston hit 22 threes at a 44% clip. The Knicks sent the Celtics to the line 26 times, where they made 17 free throws. New York finished with 5 steals and 4 blocks.