Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Prediction 5/10/25 NBA Picks

New York Knicks (51-31) vs Boston Celtics (61-21)

Game Info: Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 3:30 pm (Madison Square Garden)

Betting Odds: New York Knicks +5.5 -- Over/Under: 205.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

Where to Watch: ABC

The Boston Celtics travel to Madison Square Garden to battle the New York Knicks in a pivotal Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday night. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Prediction. This article will include a Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Pick.

Boston Celtics Betting Preview 

The Boston Celtics are now in serious trouble after squandering another 20-point lead to fall short to the Knicks in a heartbreaking 91-90 home defeat in game 2 on Wednesday. Derrick White led the team with 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Jaylen Brown added 20 points with six turnovers, Jayson Tatum scored 13 points with 14 rebounds and five assists while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 10 points and five assists.

As a team, the Celtics shot just 36 percent from the field and 10 of 40 from the 3-point line as they got off to a great start and restricted the Knicks to just 13 points in the first quarter to build a 20-point lead. However, they allowed the Knicks to hang around, and it cost them in the end as they scored just 17 points in the fourth quarter capped by a crucial turnover on the last possession of the game.

New York Knicks Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the New York Knicks must be feeling good about their chances in this series after overcoming a 20-point deficit for the second game in a row. Josh Hart led the team in scoring with 23 points on nine of 15 shooting, Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points with 17 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson chipped in with 17 points and seven assists.

As a team, the Knicks shot 43 percent from the field and nine of 31 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and scored just 13 points in the first quarter to find themselves trailing big. Before they sprung to life and dominated the fourth quarter by 30-17 to steal the game on a clutch defensive play from Mikal Bridges. He forced the turnover on the final possession of the game with the Knicks leading by just one point. 

Why the New York Knicks will win

  • The underdogs have won each of the Knicks' last five playoff games.
  • The Celtics have lost each of their last two Eastern Conference Semifinals games as favorites.
  • The Knicks have covered the spread in each of their last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
  • The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Why the Boston Celtics will win

  • The Celtics have won each of their last 12 road games after losing as favorites.
  • The Knicks have lost seven of their last eight home games against teams that held a winning record.
  • The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last 12 games as road favorites following a loss.
  • The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as home underdogs after winning as underdogs.

New York Knicks Player Facts

  • Miles McBride ranks 4th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.6) this season.
  • Jalen Brunson ranks 8th amongst qualified players for points per game (26.0) this season.

Boston Celtics Player Facts

  • Derrick White ranks 7th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (3.5) this season.
  • Luke Kornet ranks 10th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (3.8) this season.

Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Prediction

The Celtics are still slightly shorthanded with Sam Hauser listed as doubtful for this game, while the Knicks have a full squad once again. The Celtics are officially in trouble now after dropping both of their home games, and what is more concerning is that they blew 20-point leads in both games. The Knicks finished the regular season winless against the top-3 teams in the NBA, so it was fair to expect them to struggle in these playoffs. However, they are playing a gritty brand of basketball which has taken full advantage of all the mistakes the Celtics have made so far.

The series now shifts to New York with the Knicks holding all the momentum, but the Celtics are absolutely playing for their lives right now, so it's not that surprising to see them as favorites in a pivotal Game 3. The Celtics might still be kicking themselves after blowing another home game, but they are just one win away from getting right back into this series, and it has to start here. The Knicks are certainly tempting as underdogs in front of a raucous home crowd, but the Celtics need this win badly, and I think they do enough to get the win on the road. 

 
 

Peter’s Pick Boston -5.5

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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