Celtics vs. Knicks NBA Analysis, Odds, and Best Bet (5/16)

The boys from Boston are in the Mecca of Basketball for an NBA Playoffs elimination game. The Knicks welcome the Celtics to New York for Game 6. Let’s talk hoops?

Before opening tip, be sure to check out all of the odds listed at the best online sportsbooks available in the U.S.

Game Information

Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
#2 Boston Celtics visit the #3 New York Knicks
Previous Matchup: BOS 127-102, May 14, 2025
NYK leads series 3-2

Can the former Finals MVP do the unthinkable?

Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks

The Knicks were wobbled last game. They should have ended the series. Unfortunately, they didn’t and now the door is open for Boston. In life, you don’t get many second chances, but the Knicks have one tonight to end this series.

Jayson Tatum won’t be suiting up for the Boston Celtics until the year 2026. They started life without their leader with a defiant win at home. Was that just bad news inspiring the locker room or was it the start of an all-time comeback? Tonight we find out. The Celtics look to become just the 14th team in NBA history to come back from down 3-1. It has been done just 13 times in 294 attempts.

Jaylen Brown and Mazulla ball; is that enough to beat one of the most efficient offenses in the association? It was in Game 5. They were 22/49 (45%) from deep, while Brown nearly had a triple double. The former finals MVP has 26 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds. Not bad for a guy who can’t go left?

Also, Luke Kornet was the surprise outlier contributor that sparked the Celtics. The ‘Kornet Kontest’ got on the main stage. He had 7 blocked shots in a performance that was desperately needed. Boston will need Kornet or another role player to step up again.

Most wins in elimination games by an active player:

16 — Al Horford
15 — LeBron James
13 — Jaylen Brown pic.twitter.com/w6hm3yy6Ry

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 16, 2025

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Jaylen Brown and Derrick White’s combined 60 PTS led the way in Game 5 as Boston cut the series to 3-2.

Can the Celtics force a Game 7, or will the Knicks return to the East Finals for the first time in 25 years?

BOS/NYK Game 6 tips tonight at 8:00pm/et on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/BEm9lLkted

— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2025

This cat has gone missing.

NBA Game Analysis

Boston’s singular path to victory is domination from Jaylen Brown and the shots continuing to fall. As we saw in the first two games of the series, for better or for worse, Boston won’t change up their style of play. They are going to shoot so many threes and they will live or die by it. In Game 5, Boston closed the third quarter on a 23-9 run. Boston’s style of play can feel like an avalanche that can quickly bury you. Boston shot 44.9% from distance last game on 22 makes.

Just have to keep that up. Simple, right?

Conversely, the Knicks need to apply some pressure to Boston. They had only 5 steals and 4 blocks as a team. Boston is missing their highest usage player. Players in their rotation are being thrust into expanded roles. New York does not get many blocks but they are a good perimeter defense. They were T-12th in the association during the regular season with 8.2 steals per game. Furthermore, they were T-5th best in opponent assist-to-turnover ratio. Conclusively, Tom Thibodeau’s team needs to make ball handlers uncomfortable.

Oh, and maybe Karl-Anthony Towns wants to wake up? The self proclaimed best shooting big man is shooting 15.4% from three in the series, making less than one three a game. The Knicks also have Mikal Bridges and OG underperforming. New York should get some return to the mean here just like Boston got the last two games.

Key Outlier.Bet Insights

The New York Knicks are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games inside MSG.
The Boston Celtics are 19-4 (82.6%) in their last 23 games on the road. They were one of the best road teams ever this year.
Derrick White has failed to exceed 31.5 PRA in 17 of his last 19 games on the road. He enjoys playing at home but don’t be deterred if you like White tonight. Boston needs him in so many ways that the PRA could still be a good play.

NBA Best Bet: BOS Celtics +2.5 (-110)

Trizzy Bets told me one thing the other day: “Believe.”

In conclusion, don’t tail this. However, Joe Mazzulla’s team set a new franchise record with 33 road wins. That’s just one shy of the NBA record held by the 73-win Golden State Warriors. Furthermore, the Celtics won 23 of their 33 road games by double digits, but that was mostly with Jayson Tatum. Again, don’t tail this.

Enjoy, this though: