The Boston Celtics will look to stay alive in their best-of-seven series when they battle the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup on Wednesday. New York took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 121-113 win on Monday as Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 62 points. The Knicks (51-31), who are looking to advance to the conference finals for the first time since 1999-00, are looking to defeat Boston for the first time in the postseason since the 2013 first round. The Celtics (61-21), the defending NBA champions, are looking to reach the conference finals for the fourth straight season. Boston will be without Jayson Tatum, who suffered an Achilles injury late in Game 4.
Tipoff from TD Garden in Boston is set for 7 p.m. ET. The teams have split 14 previous playoff series. The Celtics are 5-point favorites in the latest Celtics vs. Knicks odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, which is an increase from opening as 3-point favorites. The over/under for total points scored is 207.5. The Celtics are -194 on the money line (risk $194 to win $100), while the Knicks are +161 (risk $100 to win $161). Before making any Knicks vs. Celtics picks, check out the NBA predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the conference semifinals of the 2025 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 159-117 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning nearly $4,000. It is also 23-11 (68%) on top-rated NBA against-the-spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Knicks vs. Celtics 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Celtics vs. Knicks:
- Knicks vs. Celtics spread: Boston -5 at DraftKings
- Knicks vs. Celtics over/under: 207.5 points
- Knicks vs. Celtics money line: New York +161, Boston -194
- NY: The Knicks have hit the money line in 24 of their last 35 road games (+12.65 units)
- BOS: The Celtics have hit the team total under in 63 of their last 97 games (+24.75 units)
- Knicks vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Knicks vs. Celtics streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Celtics can cover
With Tatum out, shooting guard Jaylen Brown will look to carry the Celtics and extend their season. In nine postseason starts, Brown is averaging 21.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and one steal in 37 minutes. He is coming off a 20-point, seven-rebound and two-assist effort in the Game 4 loss to the Knicks. He scored 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists in a 108-105 overtime loss in Game 1.
Point guard Derrick White also helps power the Boston offense. He is coming off a 23-point, three-rebound and two-assist effort in the Game 4 loss. He registered a double-double in the Game 1 loss, scoring 19 points, while adding 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
In his nine playoff starts, he is maintaining an average of 18.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and one block in 38.3 minutes. Discover which team to support at SportsLine.
Why the Knicks could cover
Point guard Brunson remains a constant threat to Boston’s defense. Following a double-double performance with 39 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds in the Game 4 victory. He has scored over 30 points in six playoff games this season, including a remarkable 40-point display in a critical Game 6 win over the Detroit Pistons. In his 10 postseason appearances, he is averaging 30.1 points, eight assists, and four rebounds in 40.1 minutes.
Center Towns is among five New York players averaging double-digit scoring this postseason. In 10 games, Towns is averaging 19.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and one block in 36.5 minutes. He has achieved six consecutive double-doubles, with a notable 23-point, 11-rebound performance in the recent Game 4 victory.
How to make Knicks vs. Celtics picks
According to SportsLine’s model, Knicks vs. Celtics has been simulated 10,000 times, predicting a total of 209 combined points. The model suggests that one side of the spread is successful in over 50% of simulations. For detailed NBA picks from the model, visit SportsLine.
So, who will emerge victorious in Knicks vs. Celtics, and which side of the spread will prevail in over 50% of simulations? Head over to SportsLine now to determine which side of the Knicks vs. Celtics spread to support, all provided by a model that has delivered substantial returns on top-rated NBA picks.