The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks are renewing their rivalry in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. It’s the first playoff matchup between the teams since 2013, and Game 1 is set for Monday night in Boston. The reigning NBA champion Celtics took care of the Orlando Magic in five games in the first round, while the Knicks eliminated the Detroit Pistons in six games in a much closer series.
The Knicks rebuilt their roster in the offseason, adding Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges to create a team that could contend with Boston. So far, it hasn’t been enough, as the Celtics swept the regular-season series, winning four games by an average of 16.3 points per game. Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, who played all five first-round games despite nursing a knee injury, said he expects the series against the Knicks to be a “war.”
NBA playoff predictions: Expert picks for Celtics vs. Knicks and Cavaliers vs. Pacers in East’s second round
Jack Maloney
Both teams are led by All-NBA superstars. Celtics wing Jayson Tatum averaged 31.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists against the Magic in the first round, while Knicks guard Jalen Brunson put up 31.5 points and 8.2 assists per game against the Pistons.
Celtics vs. Knicks schedule, scores
All times Eastern
Game 1: Monday, May 5 | Celtics vs. Knicks | 7 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 2: Wednesday, May 7 | Celtics vs. Knicks | 7 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 3: Saturday, May 10 | Knicks vs. Celtics | Time/TV TBD
Game 4: Monday, May 12 | Knicks vs. Celtics | Time/TV TBD
*Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 | Celtics vs. Knicks | Time/TV TBD
*Game 6: Friday, May 16 | Knicks vs. Celtics | Time/TV TBD
*Game 7: Monday, May 19 | Celtics vs. Knicks | Time/TV TBD
Celtics vs. Knicks odds
Odds via DraftKings
Series odds: Celtics -800, Knicks +550
Game 1 odds: Celtics -9, O/U 213
Celtics vs. Knicks Game 1 pick
The Knicks and Celtics played four regular-season games this season. The fourth was meaningless for Boston. The Celtics won, but still, toss it out. In the first three, Boston won by 23, 27 and 13. No matter where you fall on actual team quality, the matchup itself could not be worse for the Knicks. The Celtics love hunting weak defenders in pick-and-roll. That’s Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns to a tee. Boston can switch the Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll on the other end with its rare combination of versatile wing defenders. That disarms New York’s best offensive action. New York had trouble with Jalen Duren guarding Josh Hart and serving as an extra help defender by roaming off of him. Kristaps Porziņģis is going to do the same thing. Until the Knicks prove they can compete with the Celtics, I’m taking Boston. The Pick: Celtics -9
