- The Boston Celtics, seeded #2 in the Eastern Conference, will face the #3 New York Knicks in the highly anticipated second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
- As defending NBA champions, the Celtics enter the series as significant favorites, setting the stage for a captivating clash of Eastern Conference rivals.
- Explore the opening series odds, including game spreads, over/under totals, and detailed game-by-game predictions, to fully assess the upcoming series.
A classic NBA rivalry reignites in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs as the Boston Celtics (61-21 regular season record, 28-13 home, 33-8 away) take on the New York Knicks (51-31, 27-14 home, 24-17 away) in a best-of-seven series. Boston emerged victorious from a five-game first-round matchup against the Orlando Magic, while New York navigated a tougher six-game series against the Detroit Pistons. Early predictions and odds heavily favor the defending champion Celtics.
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks Series Odds
| Team | Odds to Win Series | Game Spread | Total Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | -800 | -2.5 (-130) | O 5.5 (+120) |
| New York Knicks | +550 | +2.5 (+110) | U 5.5 (-145) |
The initial odds heavily favor Boston (-800), implying an 88.89% win probability, while the Knicks are significant underdogs at +550 (15.38% implied probability). This reflects the Celtics’ dominance in the regular season and their championship pedigree. The -130 odds on Boston winning by at least three games further underscores this expectation.
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Looking beyond this series, the Celtics are currently +190 second favorites to win the NBA Championship, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder (+150). In contrast, the Knicks are longshots at +5000, reflecting their underdog status.
Celtics vs. Knicks Regular Season Results
| Date | Score | ATS Result | O/U Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 22 | 132-109 BOS | BOS -6.0 | O 221.5 |
| Feb 8 | 131-104 BOS | BOS -3.0 | O 231.5 |
| Feb 23 | 118-105 BOS | BOS -7.5 | U 232.0 |
| Apr 8 | 119-117 OT BOS | NYK +2.5 | O 224.5 |
The Celtics’ dominance in the regular season is undeniable, sweeping all four matchups against the Knicks. Three of those games exceeded the over/under total, highlighting the potential for high-scoring encounters. The Knicks managed to cover the spread in just one game, a close overtime loss in Boston on April 8th.
Celtics vs. Knicks Series Schedule
| Game | Date |
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