The 2025 NBA Playoffs are officially underway and today we’re here to talk about Game 3 of this second round series between the Knicks and Celtics.
For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today’s slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page, here.
Celtics vs. Knicks | Game Information
Matchup Information
- Location: Madison Square Garden; New York, New York
- Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2025
- Tipoff: 3:30 PM EST
(3) New York Knicks vs. (2) Boston Celtics | Regular Season Matchups
- Celtics (119) @ Knicks (117) – 4/08/25
- Knicks (105) @ Celtics – (118) – 2/23/25
- Celtics (131) @ Knicks (104) – 2/08/25
- Knicks(109) @ Celtics (132) – 10/22/24
Betting Odds
Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.
Celtics vs. Knicks | Game 2 Recap
Final Score: Knicks (91) – Celtics (90)
Back to back games with 20-point leads, back to back games they’ve watched it dwindle away. The Celtics have put on a masterclass in disasterclass on how to finish games. Boston held the Knicks to just 91 points and still found a way to lose the game.
Jayson Tatum once again struggled from the field, scoring just 13 points on 19 shot attempts and going 1/5 from beyond the arc. Jaylen Brown’s night started better, scoring 17 points in the first half of Game 2 but just 3 points the rest of the way. Brown was 1-7 in the second half, scoring just 3 points and going scoreless in the 4th quarter.
For the Knicks, it was Josh Hart that lead the team with 23 points on 9/15 from the field and 3/6 from beyond the arc. Mikal Bridges was held scoreless for 3 quarters but came alive in the 4th. All 14 of Mikal’s points came in the 4th and he really lit the fuse that ignited a Knicks comeback.
Towns was good with 21 points and 17 rebounds as he continues to be a menace on the glass.
Live by the 3, Die by the 3
Boston’s 90-points is their 4th lowest total for points scored since Head Coach Joe Mazulla took over, both regular season and postseason. In that span, the team’s played in 292 games, winning 213 and scoring 90 or fewer points just 4 times. . In fact, Mazzulla’s first 3-seasons as Head Coach have resulted in 3 of the top-4 3-point shooting teams in NBA History.
Boston took 60 3s in Game 1, 56 of those 3s were open to wide open 3s. Meaning of their 60 3-point attempts, 56 came with the defender at least 4ft away. Good shots that the Celtics take every day, but if only 25% of your open shots, it’s almost impossible to win a basketball game.
In Game 2 it was more of the same. Despite reducing the numbers of 3s they shot to 40; the Celtics still shot 25% from the perimeter. Of the 40 3P attempts, all 40 attempts were open to wide open, with 24 of them being WIDE OPEN.
Boston converted on just 20% of these wide open 3s and it’s a place they’ve shot closer to 40% on the year.
For contrast, the Knicks took 37 3P attempts in Game 1, 31 of those were wide to wide open; the Knicks shot 55%. In Game 2 we saw the Knicks shoot 29% on 31 3p attempts; 16 of these 31 attempts were wide open and the Knicks shot 44% on these wide open attempts.
Across two games, the Knicks are shooting 50% on wide open 3-point attempts and the Celtics just 25%; both games have been decided by one possession. Something’s gotta give.
Our Best Bets in Game 2 between the Knicks and Celtics
Josh Hart o12.5 Points (+100 via BetOnline)
There is no reason to not go right back to Hart. Boston did the same think they did all year, leave Hart open.It’s clear how the Celtics have decided to defend Hart; by just making the choice to not defend him.
The anyone but Brunson approach has directly led to Hart’s increased volume in games against Boston, strictly due to the fact he’s getting open shots.
As we’ve seen all year, the Celtics have used Hart’s defender as a free safety for their defense, moving inside the paint and focusing on help defense over his individual matchup. In the 6-matchups this year, Hart’s averaging 16.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 4.7 APG, He’s had 12+ points in 5 of the 6 matchups and he’s taking an average of 11.8 shot attempts per game.
The 12.3 shot attempts is his 3rd highest volume against all teams he’s faced this year, behind only the Lakers and Pacers; both teams he played significantly more time against. Hart’s also getting to the line for 4.6 free throw attempts per game against Boston and tonight I’d expect more of the same.
Jayson Tatum o27.5 Points (-115 via BetOnline)
Call it chalk, call me a homer or call me delusional; I’m going down with the ship.
Tatum’s been in this spot plenty of times, Game 3 on the road. Road fans going crazy, down 0-2 and you’re going into Madison Square Garden; this is where playoff moments are created and legacies are cemented.
Going back to the start of last year, Tatum’s played at MSG 4-times; Tatum’s recorded 32, 40, 19, and 34 points. JT’s shooting 52% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. He’s scored 31 or more points in 4 straight Game 3s and tonight with so much on the line, look for him to come out fired up.
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