In a game that saw Jayson Tatum move into fifth for the Boston Celtics’ all-time playoff scorers, the team was shocked by the New York Knicks. Superstar Jalen Brunson came through for BOTH of our Knicks vs. Celtics picks, including a plus-money play, so of course, we’re here to get you set for Game 2.

That means another best bet from our Knicks vs. Celtics predictions, and we’ll pair it with a guaranteed Novig promo code bonus so that you can take full advantage of it!

 

 

Knicks vs. Celtics Predictions For Tonight NBA Playoffs Game 2, 5/7

Heading into Monday’s Game 1, the narrative was all about the Knicks’ inability to beat the best teams in the NBA, especially the Celtics. Well, they picked a good time to set their franchise record for playoff halftime comebacks. Not only are the playoffs when things actually matter, but stealing Game 1 on the road inside TD Garden is massive for their chances to win this series.

Although the 16-point halftime lead was also the largest blown lead in Boston franchise history, the Knicks vs. Celtics odds have them as even bigger favorites for tonight’s Game 2. Whether that’s because of the desperation factor before heading to Madison Square Garden or oddsmakers not expecting such poor three-point shooting, that’s the case.

Speaking of that shooting from deep, there’s more to discuss on that front for both teams as we continue working towards the best bet from our Knicks vs. Celtics predictions. 

 

 

New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson Comes Through Again

As excited as we are that Jalen Brunson came through for us specifically, Knicks fans are just as thrilled. He lived up to his Clutch Player of the Year title en route to his 29 points courtesy of five made threes (+135 odds for over 2.5 in Game 1).

Of his 29 points, 20 of them came in the second half when the Knicks needed them most. In that third quarter is when they found themselves down by 20 points before mounting their epic comeback. Perhaps even more importantly was the fact that Brunson scored or assisted on 11 of New York’s 19 clutch-time points.

 

Boston Celtics: Living And Dying By The 3

As far as the Boston side of the game, the big storyline is the one that just above everyone is talking about. That would be their inability to hit the three-ball, despite setting NBA records for doing so in the regular season. Monday night was the complete opposite of the Boston Three Party we’ve seen from Jayson Tatum and company.

While Brunson was hitting more of them than usual, the Celtics still made NBA history, but in the wrong direction. Courtesy of going 15-for-60 from deep, Boston’s 45 missed threes (32 uncontested) are now the NBA postseason record. As you’d expect, they said after the game that no, this will not change their approach, as it’s worked for them the past two seasons.

 

Knicks vs. Celtics Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

As mentioned, the Knicks vs. Celtics odds at Novig have Boston as ever greater favorites than Game 1, and you can see the latest lines below:

 

Knicks vs. Celtics Best Bet: Jrue Holiday Over 3.5 Assists (-110 At Novig)

Given that we can’t expect Boston to shoot so poorly from beyond the arc again, surely our Knicks vs. Celtics predictions are focused on them cruising to a Game 2 win. While we do expect them to even up the series before heading to Madison Square Garden, we’d rather not sweat out such a huge point spread.

Let’s also not forget that New York shot just as poorly from a different line - the free throw line. So, they very well may still keep things competitive tonight. With all that in mind, it’s back to the player prop markets we go.

Jalen Brunson has already come through for us multiple times this postseason, but we’re now focused on the Boston side of the matchup. Targeting home team player props can often mean inflated lines, but we’re just fine with this spot. That would be the one for not Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, but rather Jrue Holiday.

Seeing the point guard with just three assists is unlike him, and of course, 45 missed three-pointers certainly plays a major role in that. Given that we can safely expect that to improve, that alone should be even more assists for Holiday. We also prefer this approach since Kristaps Porzingis’ availability affects most other Boston player prop markets.

Even without that, Jrue Holiday had five and six assists in his two games against the Orlando Magic in the first round, so this line should be at least 4.5 assists. That’s also because Holiday has averaged over six assists in the postseason throughout his lengthy career.

It may not be the classic Jayson Tatum P+A+R prop that many Boston fans like, but the best bet from our Knicks vs. Celtics predictions is Jrue Holiday over 3.5 assists (-110 at Novig).

 

Knicks vs. Celtics Injury Report & Starting Lineup

As for Knicks vs. Celtics injury news, this is a series where key players absolutely need to be monitored. We’ve seen New York's Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart go down at a moment’s notice, and after Game 1, Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis is absolutely a concern.

For now, we’ll slot in Sixth Man of the Year for the expected Knicks vs. Celtics lineups for Game 2 tonight until we see Porzingis 100% certain to start:

NY Knicks:

BOS Celtics:

 

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