- Game 1: Celtics vs. Knicks, May 6, 7:00 AM
- Game 2: Celtics vs. Knicks, May 8, 7:00 AM
- Game 3: Knicks vs. Celtics, May 10, TBD
Regular Season Series: Celtics, 4-0
Playoff Series: 0-0
Key Insights
The Celtics were the second-best team all season in the East but at times looked repeat-ready, especially when their prolific three-point shooting was on point. They’re also as complete a team as there is in the NBA, with high-quality bigs in Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, superstar wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and two-way guards in Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. Boston’s health, though, might be a cause for concern, as Brown, Tatum, Holiday, and White have been banged up so far.
New York’s slow start to the season—5-5 in 10 games—seemed to be worrying, but the Knicks have turned things around and have played fantastic basketball for stretches at a time. But they’ve been largely inconsistent, looking like contenders one game and turning into pretenders the next. Even so, one thing is for certain: Tom Thibodeau has the talent to make a deep run in the postseason. Whether that’s good enough to beat Boston is anyone’s guess.
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Players to Watch
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum
Tatum continues to be underappreciated—loathed, even—and yet he’s having a heck of a postseason as he’s currently third in scoring (31.3) and fourth in rebounding (11.3). That’s on top of his 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals.
Jaylen Brown
The 1B to Tatum’s 1A, Brown is having a rather quiet postseason, with averages of 23.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals. But as he already showed last playoffs, there’s another gear there, and look for him to tap into it against this wing-heavy Knicks team.
Derrick White
White continues to be a rock of consistency, averaging 17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.0 steal in these playoffs. He’ll have an even bigger role in the conference semis as Boston will look to slow down the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson.
New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson
The Knicks are here mainly due to the brilliance of Brunson—and they’ll go only as far as he can take them. So far in this postseason, Brunson has been the second-best scorer, firing 31.5 points on some superb shotmaking. He also averages 8.2 dimes and 4.0 caroms for good measure.
OG Anunoby
Anunoby has become the Knicks’ second-best player in these playoffs, putting up 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.5 steals (second in the NBA). He’ll need to play even better against Boston and their elite two-way wings in Tatum and Brown.
Josh Hart
Hart has been Mr. Reliable for the Knicks, doing a bit of everything and limiting mistakes. This postseason, he’s averaging 11.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals, which is exactly the kind of do-it-all production he’s known for. Against Boston, he’ll have to do more.
Matchups to Watch
Brunson vs. White/Holiday
Slowing down Brunson will no doubt be one of Boston’s priorities, and they have the players to make that happen in Holiday and White. Look for them to take turns trying to take Brunson out of his rhythm and force the other Knicks to make big plays.
Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Al Horford/Kristaps Porzingis
Towns was okay against the Orlando Magic, averaging 19.7 points and 10.0 rebounds on 49% shooting overall and 48% from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, the Knicks will need more from their sweet-shooting big against a team as talented as Boston. That means he’ll have to have a spectacular series against Horford, a smart defender, and Porzingis, a long, rangy, and mobile big.
DFS Tip
Starting Tatum and Brunson is non-negotiable. They’re big-time players who live for the big games of the playoffs. The key, therefore, is to find unsung heroes who can produce decent to good numbers. On that note, make sure you find a spot for Hart in your starting lineup. He’ll likely play his usual 40–42 minutes against Boston, which means he’s due to fill up the stat sheet even more. Don’t fret giving Horford a spot as well, as he’ll likely get more minutes as the C’s veteran stabilizer and interior anchor.
