Game 1 Preview: New York Knicks at Boston Celtics – Eastern Conference Semifinals

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New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) drives to the basket while Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) defends during the first half at TD Garden. Feb 23, 2025, Boston MA. Imagn Images.

TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts (WE) — Tonight, one of the NBA’s most storied rivalries will be reignited under the postseason lights as the Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This highly anticipated Celtics vs Knicks Game 1 matchup in the 2025 NBA Playoffs carries major implications. For the Celtics, it’s an opportunity to continue their dominant run and push toward a fourth straight appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the Knicks, it’s a shot at redemption against a team that swept them in the regular season and a chance to break a 25-year drought of not reaching the conference finals. With stars like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jalen Brunson headlining the battle, all eyes are on TD Garden for this classic Celtics vs Knicks showdown.

Season Series Recap: Celtics Own the Edge

Boston dominated the regular-season series against New York, going 4–0. Three of those wins came by double digits, including a 118–101 victory at TD Garden in January and a 129–116 win in March. The only close contest was a 119–117 overtime thriller on April 8 at Madison Square Garden.

In those four games, Jayson Tatum averaged 33.5 points per game while shooting a blistering 53.5% from the field and 47.8% from three. Jaylen Brown, though quieter, still delivered valuable two-way play. On the flip side, Knicks star Jalen Brunson averaged just 26.8 points against Boston, below his 31.5 postseason average, in large part due to Boston’s stifling perimeter defense.

“Obviously, we have to play better than we did throughout the regular season,” Brunson said ahead of Game 1. “Be ready to go from the jump, knowing it’s going to be a game of runs. They’re capable of doing a lot of great things. I think we showed growth in that last matchup, even if we didn’t get the win.”

Knicks Look to Build on First-Round Victory

The Knicks advanced after defeating the Detroit Pistons in six games in the first round. While it was not an easy series, New York’s defensive grit prevailed. Forward OG Anunoby, acquired midseason, played a key role in slowing down Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who shot just 42.6% from the field and a dismal 17.9% from deep after torching New York in the regular season.

Anunoby is expected to draw the primary defensive assignment on Tatum in this series, a task as difficult as it is essential to the Knicks’ hopes.

Meanwhile, newly acquired Karl-Anthony Towns, formerly with the Minnesota Timberwolves, has emerged as New York’s interior anchor, averaging 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds in the playoffs. Towns’ challenge will be magnified against a Boston frontcourt anchored by Kristaps Porziņģis, who averaged 24.5 points and 2 blocks in just two games against the Knicks this season.

“We just gotta go out there, execute and stay disciplined,” Towns said in Sunday’s media availability. “If we play basketball the way I know we can, we’ll give ourselves a chance every night.”

Celtics Ride Momentum Into Semifinals

The Celtics needed five games to eliminate the Orlando Magic in Round 1. Although Tatum and Brown played through minor injuries, the Celtics still looked every bit like title contenders. They have now won five consecutive playoff series and eight straight home playoff games at TD Garden.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the importance of staying grounded despite the team’s recent success.

“To me, the series is at 0-0,” Mazzulla told reporters Sunday. “It comes down to executing simple details over and over again with a high level of physicality and attention to detail. It’s the playoffs. It’s two teams fighting for something — there’s no set way these things go.”

The good news for Boston is the return of veteran guard Jrue Holiday, who missed the final three games against Orlando with a right hamstring strain but participated fully in weekend practice. Brown, who had a minor knee issue, was not listed on the injury report.

Historical Playoff Context

This is the first playoff meeting between these two iconic franchises since 2013, when the Knicks beat Boston in six games in the first round. Overall, the Celtics have won four of the seven postseason series between the two.

While Boston has been a consistent conference finalist in recent years, the Knicks are hoping to advance past the second round for the first time since 2000, when they lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers.

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Matchup to Watch: Porziņģis vs. Towns

Perhaps the most fascinating individual matchup in this series will be Porziņģis against Towns. Porziņģis, a former Knicks lottery pick, has shown a penchant for punishing his former team. In two games against New York this year, he posted 24.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and two blocks while shooting over 55% from the field.

Towns will be asked not only to provide offensive firepower but to anchor the defense and help cover Porziņģis both at the rim and on the perimeter. It’s a tall task, particularly if Porziņģis can draw him out of the paint, opening driving lanes for Boston’s guards.

Betting Lines and Best Bets for Game 1

  • Point Spread: Celtics -9 (-110 at DraftKings)
  • Total Points: Over/Under 212.5 (-110 at bet365)
  • Jaylen Brown: Over 29.5 Pts + Reb + Ast (-118 at FanDuel)
  • Jalen Brunson: Under 27.5 points (-115 at bet365)

The Celtics covered the nine-point spread in three of their four regular-season meetings with New York, including two games at TD Garden. Given the dominance Boston has shown and the rest advantage they hold, a similar outcome in Game 1 wouldn’t be surprising.

Brown, whose combo line (points + rebounds + assists) is set at 29.5, is a strong value. He averaged 32.5 across all games this season, even though his scoring against New York was slightly down.

Brunson may be the key for New York, but his 43.6% shooting in the playoffs combined with Boston’s defensive prowess makes the under on his point total an intriguing option.

Series Predictions and Futures Bets

  • Celtics -2.5 Games: -125 at bet365
  • Series to End in Under 5.5 Games: -140 at BetMGM
  • Celtics Win Series 4-1: +215 at DraftKings
  • Knicks Win Series: +590 at FanDuel

It’s hard to ignore the Celtics’ dominance in this matchup. The Knicks have lost eight of their last nine games to Boston over the last two seasons. Notably, Boston won at MSG on April 8 despite resting several starters and getting just six points from Brown.

That context fuels predictions of a short series. A 4–1 Boston win is a popular pick among oddsmakers and analysts alike.

Keys to Victory

Boston Celtics

  1. Three-Point Efficiency: Boston averaged 16.2 threes per game during the regular season against New York, shooting nearly 42%. Maintaining that clip would stretch the Knicks’ defense thin.
  2. Porziņģis’ Offensive Impact: Drawing Towns away from the basket could open the floor for Tatum and Brown.
  3. Health and Depth: The return of Holiday, plus depth from Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Al Horford, gives Boston an edge in second units.

New York Knicks

  1. Brunson’s Brilliance: The Knicks go as Brunson goes. He’ll need MVP-level performances to outduel Tatum and keep New York close.
  2. Defensive Switching: With Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, New York has switchable defenders who must contest Boston’s perimeter shooters.
  3. Towns’ Control of the Paint: If Towns can dominate the glass and stay out of foul trouble, the Knicks can limit second-chance points and fast breaks.

Game 1 Details

Final Thoughts

The Celtics vs Knicks Game 1 2025 showdown kicks off what promises to be a classic chapter in this historic NBA rivalry. Boston Celtics have the firepower, depth, and playoff experience to control this series from the start. The New York Knicks will fight hard—Jalen Brunson might steal a game at Madison Square Garden—but the Celtics’ defense, elite shot-making from Jayson Tatum, and contributions from Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porziņģis should prove too much over a seven-game series.

Series Prediction: Celtics in 5
Game 1 Score Prediction: Celtics 118, Knicks 102

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