Knicks vs. Celtics Prediction: Round 2 NBA Playoffs Preview

For the first time since 2013, the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks will face each other in a playoff series. Their Round 2 matchup begins with Game 1 on Monday at the TD Garden.

The Knicks leaned into wing defense last offseason, trading a handful of first-round picks for Mikal Bridges for this matchup. They knew they needed help in slowing down Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in hopes of reaching the NBA Finals.

Boston got the better of New York in the regular season, winning all four matchups by an average margin of victory of 16.25 points. Will the playoff battle go any differently?

Here’s a look at the latest NBA odds for the Knicks vs. Celtics and my prediction ahead of Monday’s Game 1:

Knicks vs. Celtics Odds: Game 1

• Knicks spread: +8.5
• Celtics spread: -8.5
• Total: 214.5

Knicks vs. Celtics Round 2 Odds

According to the latest NBA betting lines, the Celtics are -800 to win Round 2, with an implied probability of 88.89%. The Knicks are +550, with an implied probability of 15.38%.

Knicks series price: +550
Celtics series price: -800

Knicks vs. Celtics Prediction: Series Best Bet

Based on the updated NBA betting market, I’m taking Boston’s series spread of -2.5 (-110) as my best bet for this Round 2 matchup.

I don’t expect this series to be close, and the betting odds reflect that.

The Celtics’ series spread of -1.5 is -275, meaning they have an implied probability of 73.33% to win in six games or fewer. I’d feel confident in that wager, but I don’t expect this matchup to get to a third home game for New York.

I’m banking on the Celtics to win in five games or fewer. They only needed five games to get past the Orlando Magic, while the Knicks were fortunate to finish off the Detroit Pistons in six games.

This series has an apparent coaching mismatch, with Boston’s Joe Mazzulla having a sizable edge over New York’s Tom Thibodeau.

The Celtics can target Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns in pick-and-rolls whenever they want, but they also have the wing personnel to stymie New York’s duo from doing the same thing on the other end.

Boston will also win the 3-point math against New York, making 39 more 3-pointers across four regular-season meetings. The Celtics tied the NBA record for most 3-pointers (29) in a game during their 132-109 win over the Knicks on opening night.

There is a reason why three of the four head-to-head meetings were decided by double digits. The defending champions have the upper hand, and I expect them to flex their muscles in this matchup against a Knicks team that will need to make more changes in the offseason.

Series prediction: Celtics series spread -2.5 (-110)

Knicks vs. Celtics Series Schedule

Knicks vs. Celtics Series History

When Was the Last Time the Knicks Reached the Conference Finals?

The Knicks haven’t reached the Eastern Conference finals since 2000, when they lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games.

When Was the Last Time the Celtics Reached the Conference Finals?

The Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship, sweeping the Pacers in the ECF to earn their 18th title.