The Boston Celtics face elimination as they host the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with superstar Jayson Tatum likely sidelined after sustaining a potentially serious injury in Game 4.
Despite leading by double digits in every game this series, the Celtics find themselves in a 3-1 hole against Jalen Brunson and the resilient Knicks, who have established themselves as the comeback kings of these playoffs.
Boston's championship hopes now rest on Jaylen Brown stepping up as the primary scorer while New York looks to close out the series behind Brunson's stellar play (30.1 PPG, 8.0 APG in the postseason).
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks matchup, our predictive model gives the Celtics a 61.67% chance of defeating the Knicks.
Boston Celtics: 61.67% win probability
- Superior regular season record (61-21 compared to Knicks' 51-31)
- Elite defensive efficiency (allowed just 8787 points over 82 games, fewest in the league)
- Excellent recent form (4-1 in last five games with WWLWW record)
New York Knicks: 38.33% win probability
- Inconsistent recent performance (2-3 in last five games with WLLLW record)
- Defensive vulnerability (allowed 9158 points over 82 games, significantly higher than Boston)
- Road disadvantage (facing the 2nd-ranked team in the Eastern Conference on their home court)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model brings together insights from top NBA experts. Instead of searching through countless expert analyses online, you can rely on our predictions to capture the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing expert picks, data, and trends, while our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. These confidence levels are then averaged to generate an 'expert opinion' win probability—providing a data-driven reflection of the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NBA analysts.
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks odds
Here are the latest odds for the NBA showdown between the New York Knicks and the host Boston Celtics on Wednesday, May 14.
| Boston Celtics | New York Knicks | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -180 (via FanDuel Sportsbook) | +162 (via Caesars Sportsbook) |
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Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks preview
The Knicks are on the verge of a stunning upset as they head to Boston with a commanding 3-1 series lead, looking to close out the Celtics in Game 5 at TD Garden on Wednesday night.
What began as a series dominated by Boston's early-game surges has transformed into a showcase for New York's resilience, with the Knicks erasing double-digit deficits in every contest.
The entire complexion of the series shifted late in Game 4 when Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum suffered what appears to be a potentially serious lower leg injury, leaving Boston without their leading scorer and playmaker for this pivotal matchup.
Jalen Brunson continues his remarkable postseason run, coming off a masterful 39-point, 12-assist performance that's cementing his status as one of the NBA's elite guards.
The Celtics, despite facing elimination, remain formidable at home where they'll rely heavily on Jaylen Brown and Derrick White to fill the scoring void left by Tatum's absence.
With Boston's vaunted offense likely to struggle without its centerpiece, look for a defensive struggle where New York's balanced attack—featuring four 20+ point scorers in Game 4—could finally punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Key stats
- 1Boston Celtics sit 2nd in the Eastern Conference with a dominant 61-21 record
- 2New York Knicks hold 3rd place in the East at 51-31, ten games behind Boston
- 3Celtics boast the best defensive record in the East, allowing just 8,787 points all season
- 4The Knicks enter with inconsistent form (WLLLW) compared to the Celtics' stronger recent showing (WWLWW)
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks form
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks head to head
Boston Celtics
20%
New York Knicks
80%
May 14, 2025
Boston Celtics
0 : 0
New York Knicks
May 12, 2025
New York Knicks
121 : 113
Boston Celtics
May 10, 2025
New York Knicks
93 : 115
Boston Celtics
May 7, 2025
Boston Celtics
90 : 91
New York Knicks
May 5, 2025
Boston Celtics
105 : 108
New York Knicks
Apr 8, 2025
New York Knicks
117 : 119
Boston Celtics
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