Get a full Celtics vs. Knicks Game 1 preview with odds, key players, injury news, player props, parlay picks and our ClutchBuzz prediction.
The Eastern Conference Semifinals tip off Monday night as the Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Boston swept the regular season series 4–0 and enters this matchup as a heavy favorite, boasting a dominant offense, deep bench, and the best three-point shooting rate in the league. But don’t count out New York — the Knicks are battle-tested, coming off a narrow win over Detroit and led by the red-hot Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Boston has been lethal at home all season, and the Celtics’ big three of Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis are firing on all cylinders. Meanwhile, the Knicks will rely on toughness, defense, and clutch playmaking from Brunson and Hart to keep this one close.
Can the Celtics continue their domination of New York, or will the Knicks flip the script in Game 1?
Not sure how to bet on basketball? Check our guide here.
🏀 NBA Playoffs: Betting Promos and Bonuses
| Sportsbook | Offer | How to Claim? |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 💰 Bet $1, Get Double Winnings on Your Next 10 Bets | Claim here |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 🔁 Bet & Get Up to $1,000 in No-Sweat Bets | Claim here |
| bet365 Sportsbook | 🎁 Bet $5, Receive $150 in Bonus Bets — Win or Lose | Claim here |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | 🚀 Bet $5, Instantly Unlock $200 in Bonus Bets | Claim here |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | 🏆 First Bet Offer: Bet $10, Win $150 | Claim here |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | ✅ Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins | Claim here |
📺 Where to Watch Celtics vs. Knicks Game 1? (May 4, 2025)
| Platform | Details |
| 🕖 Tip-Off | Monday, May 5 at 7:00 PM ET |
| 📍 Venue | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| 📺 TV | TNT, truTV, MAX |
💸 Betting Odds
| Bet Type | Celtics | Knicks |
| Spread | -9 (-110) | +9 (-110) |
| Moneyline | -395 | +310 |
| Over/Under (213) | Over -110 | Under -110 |
📊 Betting Trends
- Celtics are 22-28 ATS as 9+ point favorites.
- Knicks are 0-6 ATS as 9+ point underdogs this season.
- 62 Celtics games and 63 Knicks games went Over 213 this season.
- Celtics average 116.3 PPG, Knicks 115.8 PPG.
🔁 Regular Season Head-to-Head
| Date | Result | Location |
| Apr 8, 2025 | Celtics 119 – 117 (OT) | @ NYK |
| Feb 23, 2025 | Celtics 118 – 105 | vs NYK |
| Feb 8, 2025 | Celtics 131 – 104 | @ NYK |
| Oct 22, 2024 | Celtics 132 – 109 | vs NYK |
➡️ Boston swept during regular season (4-0)
📊 Aggregate Score: Celtics 308 – Knicks 190
🩺 Injury Report
- Celtics: Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday are both active.
- Knicks: No injuries reported.
🔑 Key Players to Watch
📈 Celtics
- Jayson Tatum: 26.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 3.5 3PM
- Jaylen Brown: 22.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.5 APG
- Derrick White: 16.4 PPG, 4.8 APG, 3.5 3PM
🗽 Knicks
- Jalen Brunson: 26.0 PPG, 7.3 APG
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 24.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG
- Josh Hart: 13.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 5.9 APG
🔮 Prop Bets to Watch
| Player | Stat | Line | ClutchBuzz Pick |
| Jayson Tatum | PTS | 27.5 | ❌ Under (-120) |
| Derrick White | AST | 4.5 | ✅ Over (-130) |
| Jaylen Brown | REB | 6.5 | ❌ Under (+114) |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 3PM | 1.5 | ✅ Over (-145) |
| Josh Hart | AST | 4.5 | ✅ Over (-154) |
🧪 Same Game Parlay (SGP)
| Leg | Odds |
| Celtics ML | -395 |
| Over 213 Total Points | -110 |
| Jayson Tatum Under 27.5 PTS | -120 |
| Josh Hart Over 4.5 AST | -154 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 3PM | -145 |
| Total Parlay Odds | +825 |
🏁 Final ClutchBuzz Celtics vs. Knicks Game 1 Prediction
The Celtics are 4-0 this season against New York and are fully healthy entering Game 1. While the Knicks have the firepower to hang around, Boston’s defense, depth, and three-point volume will wear them down over four quarters. Expect a strong start from the home team.
🔒 Celtics 117, Knicks 106
✅ Bet: Celtics -9 | ✅ Over 213
