New York Knicks (50-28) vs Boston Celtics (58-20)
Game Info: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 7:30 pm (Madison Square Garden)
Betting Odds: New York Knicks +2 -- Over/Under: 221.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: TNT
The Boston Celtics (58-20) will face off against the New York Knicks (50-28) on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. ET. While the Celtics have already secured the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks are battling for the third seed, holding a four-game advantage over the fourth-place Milwaukee Bucks. This game is significant for the Knicks, who will aim to prove themselves against one of the East's top teams. Boston has dominated the season series, winning all three previous matchups by an average of over 17 points.
Key players for Boston include Jayson Tatum, who is averaging 26.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, alongside Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, both contributing significantly on both ends. For the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, and OG Anunoby lead the charge, with Brunson recently returning from injury and still working his way back into form.
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Jalen Brunson Under 20.5 Points
Jalen Brunson is averaging 26.1 points, 7.4 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 48.9%. However, on March 6, 2025, Brunson suffered a right ankle sprain during an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, sidelining him for at least two weeks. He just came back into action in the Knicks' last game against the Suns. In that game, he only scored 15 points. I expect the Knicks to ease Brunson back in to make sure he’s fresh for the playoffs.
Jayson Tatum Over 5.5 Assists
Jayson Tatum is averaging 6.0 assists per game, which ranks him 21st in the league. This marks a career-high in assists for Tatum, highlighting his evolution as a playmaker. In addition to his assists, he contributes 26.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 45.2%. Over Tatum’s last several games, he’s really picked it up when it comes to an assist perspective. Tatum has logged 6+ assists in 6 of his last 7 games. With him garnering a lot of attention from defenses, it has forced him to be more of a facilitator than just a scorer on this Celtics team.
OG Anunoby Over 17.5 Points
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby has maintained a solid performance throughout the 2024-25 NBA season, averaging 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 48.0%. During Jalen Brunson's absence due to injury, Anunoby stepped up, averaging 23.8 points and shooting nearly 50% from the field over a 16-game stretch. His offensive resurgence culminated in a career-first streak of ten consecutive games with at least 20 points, including a 32-point effort in a victory over the Phoenix Suns on April 6, 2025.
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AUTHOR: Brad Francis
