- Get expert betting predictions and analysis for Knicks vs. Celtics.
- New York is -275 to win this Round 2 matchup.
- The Knicks are 2.5-point favorites for Friday’s Game 6.
After staving off elimination in Game 5, the Boston Celtics will travel to face the New York Knicks in Game 6 at 8 p.m. ET on Friday at Madison Square Garden on ESPN.
The Celtics cut the series deficit to 3-2 with their 127-102 win over the Knicks on Wednesday. Derrick White paced Boston with 34 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while Jaylen Brown finished with 26 points on a 9-for-17 clip.
Can the Celtics force a Game 7?
Here’s a look at the NBA odds for the Knicks vs. Celtics and my prediction ahead of Friday’s Game 6:
Knicks vs. Celtics Odds: Game 6
- Knicks spread: -2.5
- Celtics spread: +2.5
- Total: 211.5
Knicks vs. Celtics Round 2 Odds
According to the latest NBA betting lines, New York is -275 to win this Round 2 matchup for an implied probability of 73.33%. The Celtics were -800 to advance before Game 1, while the Knicks were +550.
Knicks series price: -275
Celtics series price: +225
Knicks vs. Celtics Prediction: Game 6 Best Bet
Based on the updated NBA betting market, I’m taking New York’s moneyline value (-140) as my best bet for Game 6 of this Knicks vs. Celtics series.
I’m not reading too much into Game 5. That was a classic letdown spot for New York against an inspired Boston team in its first game without Jayson Tatum.
The Celtics posted their best offensive performance of the series in Game 5, finishing in the 96th percentile in points per possession and 97th percentile in effective field goal rate. This comes after the team ranked in the 22nd percentile or worse in both metrics during a 0-2 start to Round 2.
Of course, some of that was positive regression for an elite Boston team. But I don’t expect that trend to continue without Tatum for a second straight game.
New York will be more locked in on Friday, especially in front of an electric crowd at MSG. I expect the Knicks to secure their first conference finals berth since 2000.
Game 6 prediction: Knicks ML (-140)
Knicks vs. Celtics Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Monday, May 5 | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 2 | Wednesday, May 7 | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 3 | Saturday, May 10 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 4 | Monday, May 12 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 5 | Wednesday, May 14 | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 6 | Friday, May 16 | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 7 | Monday, May 19 | 7 p.m. | TNT |
Knicks vs. Celtics Series History
| Date | Home | Result | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 14 | BOS | BOS 127, NY 102 | BOS -5.5 | Over 207.5 |
| May 12 | NY | NY 121, BOS 113 | NY +5 | Over 209 |
| May 10 | NY | BOS 115, NY 93 | BOS -5.5 | Under 209 |
| May 7 | BOS | NY 91, BOS 90 | NY +10 | Under 211 |
| May 5 | BOS | NY 108, BOS 105 (OT) | NY +9 | Push 213 |
| April 8 | NY | BOS 119, NY 117 (OT) | NY +2.5 | Over 224.5 |
| Feb. 23 | BOS | BOS 118, NY 105 | BOS -7.5 | Under 231 |
| Feb. 8 | NY | BOS 131, NY 104 | BOS -3 | Over 231 |
| Oct. 22 | BOS | BOS 132, NY 109 | BOS -6 | Over 221.5 |
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.
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