🏀 Celtics vs Knicks: Round 2 Preview & Game 1 Betting Tips💰

After surviving a dramatic six-game series against Detroit, the Knicks now run straight into a Boston Celtics juggernaut that has been resting, reloading, and waiting. Jalen Brunson may be the NBA’s clutch king, but he’ll need to be borderline superhuman if New York is to steal more than one game in this series.

Boston’s defensive ceiling and offensive depth are in another tier entirely. With Kristaps Porziņģis healthy, Jayson Tatum leading from the front, and Derrick White playing the best two-way basketball of his career, the Celtics hold both the firepower and the matchup edge. New York may squeeze out one at the Garden behind a Brunson explosion, but it’s hard to see this going past five.

🔮 Series Prediction: Celtics 4-1

🔥 Players Expected to Be Hot

Jalen Brunson (Knicks)

Averaging 34.5 PPG over his last four playoff games - including a 40-point Game 6 dagger.
➡️ He’ll be asked to do everything again in this series. Expect heavy volume in Game 1.

Jaylen Brown (Celtics)

Home splits and a favorable matchup against smaller Knicks wings.
➡️ His 21.5 line is highly beatable with Tatum drawing doubles. Value play.

OG Anunoby (Knicks)

Reliable on both ends. Averaged 17.5 PPG and 6.5 REB vs Detroit.
➡️ Boston’s ball movement means he’ll be busy - but still a solid rebounding option.

🚨 Likely to Underperform

Mikal Bridges (Knicks)

Just 14.0 PPG on 41.6% FG in Round 1 — struggled to find rhythm and will now be guarded by Derrick White or Jrue Holiday.
➡️ Expect efficiency issues to persist.

Josh Hart (Knicks)

Barely attempted from deep vs Detroit. Averaged just 1.0 AST over his last 3 games.
➡️ Don’t count on scoring or playmaking in this one.

Cameron Payne (Knicks)

Limited minutes. Low usage. Tough matchup.
➡️ Total fade across all props.

🎯 Game 1 Betting Preview & Picks

💸 Game 1 Best Bets

✅ Match Winner
➡️ Celtics to Win: $1.25
Rested, deeper, and lethal at home - hard to see this slipping.

✅ Handicap
➡️ Boston -9.5: $1.96
Knicks are banged up and just escaped Detroit. Expect Boston to punch early.

✅ Total Points 210.5
➡️ Under 210.5: $2.13
Both teams thrive defensively. Expect a playoff grind in Game 1.

🔥 Player Props

🎯 Jaylen Brown Over 21.5 Points: $1.91
Should see clean looks all night. NYK will collapse on Tatum.

🎯 OG Anunoby Over 5.5 Rebounds: $2.25
Crushed the boards vs Detroit. Will be needed again on both ends.

🎯 Josh Hart Under 0.5 Threes Made: $2.49
Not shooting it — and won’t start in Boston under pressure.

🧲 Final Call: Bet Smart, Win Big with SBX

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Odds are accurate as of 1pm UTC, 5th May 2025